New Stuff -- As all bookmakers know, Sunday is the Academy Awards. U.K.-based bookmaker Ladbrokes said yesterday it has had so much interest from bettors in the musical "Chicago" that it has to close the books on "Chicago" bets. However, to make up for closing bets on whether "Chicago" will win Best Picture or not, Ladbrokes is announcing a new bet on exactly how many Oscars the film will receive. Sean Boyce, communications director for Ladbrokes, said betting on the Oscars is more popular than ever. "In the years that we've been focusing on the big Hollywood event, we've never had such concerted interest in one motion picture," he said. "Therefore, we had to close the books on the previously announced odds and add the new category for the number of Oscars 'Chicago' may receive. 'Chicago' truly has piqued global interest like no other film in the past."
Tidbit from the UK -- British Sky Broadcasting announced yesterday that it has launched a new iTV service called Sky Bet Vegas that offers casino games. Players will have the chance to win up to £250,000.