Viewers of American Idol are not always sure how to go about betting on the phenomenally popular show if they are new to online gambling

Millions of viewers have tuned in to American Idol this season and millions more have visited the Gambling911.com web site in hopes of getting action on one or more of the American Idol wannabes.  But not everyone is familiar with online gambling and how it works.

"Actually online gambling is one of the easiest activities on the internet today, probably just as easy as registering a MySpace.com account or participating on eBay, if not easier," comments Gambling911.com Founder and President, Christopher Costigan. 

The most difficult obstacle to overcome is the actual depositing of funds. 

"What we are finding is that probably 99% of our American Idol audience is coming in via web search, news blogs, and various other feeds," Costigan said.  "These are people familiar with the internet who regularly make online purchases.  They do so primarily by way of credit card and online checking direct from their own personal banking accounts."

Unfortunately, when it comes to credit cards, there are a handful of banks that do not permit gambling-related transactions as a result of significant chargeback activities brought on by customers prior to 2000 and from resulting "Patriot Act" coding procedures.  As a result, most online gambling companies will direct their customers - and prospective customers - to visit web sites such as WesternUnion.com, which are also utilized by internet gaming firms and accept credit card payments online.  More often, however, players will be directed to utilize eChecks direct from their own banking accounts.

"Online checks are now the most popular form of depositing money into one's betting account at a number of gambling web sites.  It is one of the easiest as well, not to mention almost instant.  People need to realize when they are opening an online gambling account with one of our endorsed web sites, they are doing so with a company that has been in business for many years, a number of which are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange."

The minimum deposit is just $20 in most cases.

Online gamblers are also entitled to free money.  For example, Nine.com (see web site here) offers a free cash bonus on top of your initial deposit (restrictions apply) that is equivalent to 10% of that deposit (i.e. deposit $300 and get a FREE $30 cash bonus into your account).  Long time customers are entitled to a percentage of money back on losses at Nine.com as well.

Readers often have a tough time finding the American Idol betting odds on some web sites.  That's because these odds are usually listed under more obscure sections such as "OTHER" and "PROPS".  In the case of Nine.com, these odds are listed under "PROPS" but Gambling911.com makes the signup process simplified here by providing a direct link to the registration page that includes an easy-to-located secondary link that allows for review of the overall web site.

One other obstacle we frequently encounter with the newbie American Idol bettor is how to read odds (also known as betting lines).

At Nine.com (see web site here) the odds for Chris Daughtry as of Monday morning appear as -150.  The minus (-) means that Chris is a favorite.  All favorites pay less than what is originally wagered.  For example, if you were to bet on Chris Daughtry and wanted to win $100, you would need to bet $150.

The other three Idols are listed with plus (+) signs which indicates that they are still in the "underdog" category and hence, have great value.  Taylor Hicks had odds of +300 as of Monday morning.  If you were to bet $100 on Taylor Hicks and he were to win, you would win a whopping $300.

Some online gambling sites lists odds in this format: 3 to 1.  Again, this means that for every $100 bet you would win $300.  For every $1 bet you would win $3.  This is the same as +300.  And occasionally online gambling web sites will list odds as 3.00 (using the decimal system).  Bet you never thought those High School and college math courses would come in handy some day?  (pun intended of course).

We encourage you to always ask questions of us here if you need assistance and remember, there is no such thing as a DUMB question....Well, if it's a dumb question, we won't laugh at you, how is that?

Below you will find the latest betting odds on American Idol as of Monday morning and these odds are subject to change.

101 Chris Daughtry -150
102 Katherine McPhee +250
103 Elliot Yamin +1200
105 Taylor Hicks +250 (note: Hicks was +300)

Bet on American Idol Here

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Gambling911.com Staff

Originally published May 8, 2006 10:58 am EST