MONTREAL, March 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The NCAA Tournament brackets have been released, and March Madness has hit college basketball courts around the country. Water cooler bookies log bets from office workers, Las Vegas sportsbooks race to create betting propositions, and online gamblers surf their favorite Internet site eager to place their bets. From college dorm rooms to busy call centers located in Costa Rica and Antigua, sports bettors and the gaming industry are ready for action.
"March Madness commands a lot of attention," said Mike Foreman, spokesperson for BetUS.com. "It's raw. It's real. Underdogs overcome all odds to win, and champions are left to scurry to the sidelines with their tails between their legs".
The first match-up is scheduled for March 15, 2005 between Oakland and Alabama A&M. BetUS.com has Oakland listed as a 6 1/2-point favorite, and the game will air on ESPN at 7 pm EST. Oakland and Alabama A&M are both considered as part of the "field" bet at 30 to 1 to win the championship. The current favorites to win the tournament include Illinois at 18 to 5, North Carolina at 15 to 4 and Duke at 12 to 1.
Regardless of which team is listed as a favorite, for all those people who follow the NCAA Division I Men's Championship know that nothing is certain during the month of March. Teams only have one chance to get it right and advance to the next round, leaving the door open for exhilarating upsets.
"These tournaments are filled with upsets. You can factor in statistics, trends and injury reports, and it won't mean a thing. It's all about who comes to play. This is what makes March Madness so exciting and why so many people want to get into the action."
BetUS.com has posted odds on the March Madness bracket and will be updating propositions as the NCAA Division I Tournament unfolds. Some of the bets posted on BetUS.com include:
-- How many No. 1 seeds will reach the final four -- Odds for each team to make the final four -- Total wins by each major conference
For a complete listing of propositions and odds, visit www.BetUS.com.
BetUS.com (http://www.BetUS.com) is one of the oldest and most respected legal online sports betting organizations in the world and is licensed and bonded in two recognized gaming jurisdictions -- Canada and Costa Rica. Employing over 500 people, BetUS.com provides a safe and secure place for sports wagering to more than 100,000 clients. Members can enjoy wagering on some of their favorite sports including: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and boxing. BetUS.com has been in operation for 11 years and also offers Vegas-style casino games and interactive poker.