The connection between Hollywood and Las Vegas is nothing new – the integration began in the 50s and 60s when “The Rat Pack” ran the streets of both cities.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, dubbed “The Rat Pack,” were a much sought-after group during the peak of segregation, and were influential in forcing Vegas hotels, casinos and clubs to welcome African-American entertainers and patrons by refusing to appear anywhere that didn’t accept Davis.
Today celebrities continue to merge with Las Vegas, headlining in major venues, hosting club events, and even opening stores in Sin City.
Oddsmakers are taking advantage of the symbiotic relationship between Hollywood and Las Vegas by offering entertainment wagers in a domain traditionally made up of sports fans.
Online entertainment betting offers wagers ranging from who will take home an Oscar, Grammy or Golden Globe, to who will be voted off or win the latest reality TV shows. Sportsbooks even offer odds on who is most likely to make a guest appearance on your favorite TV series.
The possibilities are endless, but according to bookmaker.com, one of the largest online betting sites, American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are the most popular among reality TV wagering options.
In a world typically dominated by men, the number of women participating in online gambling continues to grow with the addition of entertainment betting.
“Women are so obsessed with celebrities these days, they spend so much time reading the gossip pages and are so invested in it that they figure they may as well put down money since they are following it so closely anyway,” said Greg Sindall, a senior analyst at SportsInteraction.com.
While entertainment bets are a small piece of the overall online gaming business, they are becoming a significant and surprising revenue generator.