"Sicko" Betting Odds May be Posted SoonCarrie Stroup, acting on behalf of Sportsbook.com, has advised Gambling911.com that the online gambling site is now contemplating offering odds on how much the controversial Michael Moore film "Sicko" will take in next weekend when it opens nationally in the US.
The movie is set to open June 29. When asked about this movie, Michael Moore said, "If people ask, we tell them "Sicko" is a comedy about 45 million people with no health care in the richest country on Earth."
Should Sportsbook.com offer online gambling odds on Sicko, bettors would simply be placing wagers on the Over or Under for a specific total gross.
"You win based on whether the film does better or worse than predicted by the Sportsbook.com oddsmakers," Stroup stresses. A number is yet to be devised as of press time. "Sportsbook.com believes there will be many people anxious to place bets on this film."
Sportsbook.com typically offers box office betting on films that are expected to become blockbusters. Currently, the site has offerings on the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Survivor China and Pirate Master under its "Exotics" section.
Since the demise of BetCorp's BetWWTS.com brand last October (acquired by Bodog.com), gamblers have been hungry for weekly box office betting odds on all films regardless of initial hype.
"People love going to the movies, why wouldn't they love betting on them?" asks Stroup.
"Sicko" is an examination of problems in the American for-profit health insurance and pharmaceutical industries. It talks about the insurance industry and how it is currently a system wherein they make more money by denying health care than by providing it. You hear about how PhRMA is the largest and most powerful lobbyist block in Washington D.C.
"Sicko" exposes the fact that America is the only industrialized nation in the world that still does not have national health care and most Americans don't even know it. It takes a look at examples and testimonies about corruption and abuses that cost Americans billions of dollars every year and he highlights the failings of US system with a trip to Cuba where he shows that quality, affordable health care is something that even small, poor nations are capable of providing its citizens if they want to.
"This film is going to open a lot of eyes," says Stroup, who covers political betting odds news for Gambling911.com.
Critical reception for the film early on has been overwhelmingly positive.
Though the film's official theatre wide opening is June 29, many web surfers were able to get a sneak peak of the film via a pirated copy appearing on YouTube. That video uploading website has since removed the "Sicko" copy.
Moore didn't seem to mind when questioned about the YouTube upload.
"I'm just happy that people get to see my movies," Moore said. "I'm not a big supporter of the copyright laws in this country. I thought Napster was a good idea."
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Jordan Bach, Gambling911.com
Originally published June 21, 2007 8:44 am ET
