Legal Betting on the Academy Awards

Many offices and workplaces throughout the US like to have fun with the Academy Awards, and you can even find “brackets” or Oscars betting sheets at some websites. Usually, online sportsbooks won’t provide these directly (although you can print out their odds and lines), but many other sites have Oscar betting pool forms you can print out for your employees, coworkers, and/or friends.

Unlike with sports betting, your best bet for Oscar winners won’t be predicated on any past performances, and there’s no solid way to tell which film or performer is going to capitalize on the “Oscar buzz” that hits the mainstream about a month out from the show.

Just keep one eye on the entertainment blogs and another on the industry rags, and you’ll probably be able to make an informed guess as to the Oscar results. You might even want to watch a few Oscar movies if you have the time, albeit that isn’t likely to tell you much (and some of them probably aren’t even very good).

All that said, there is one somewhat reliable trick for picking Oscar winners, at least for the major categories. Most studios like to win Oscars because they help movies sell better in the consumer market. Thus, if a major blockbuster does well in theaters, it doesn’t “need” an Oscar win. Meanwhile, an underperforming but critically popular movie might get the nod in order to build hype for its retail sales and streaming rights prices. If your bets don't pan out for the Oscars you can always try your luck across the pond by betting on the BAFTA awards.

Think your Oscars predictions for 2019 will come true? Then you might be looking to put some money on Oscars betting lines in Vegas. There’s only one problem: Las Vegas doesn’t offer Academy Awards betting. In fact, outside of New Jersey, no land-based domestic sportsbook offers lines on entertainment events of any kind. Outside of Jersey, you would have better luck betting on the Razzie Awards. Thus, if you want to bet on the Academy Awards and place some Oscars prop bets, you will need to join an offshore sports betting site.

If you want to know how to get tickets to the Oscars, you’ve come to the right place. Unfortunately, the event is ultra-exclusive, and only nominees, presenters, studio executives, invited celebrities, and their guests can attend. Amusingly, however, all these Hollywood elites must still purchase tickets to get in, and these cost between $150 and $750.

Yes, there have been several Oscar-winning sports betting movies,  including Pulp Fiction, The Deer Hunter, and many more. 

Almost certainly not. Some bettors are interested in helping along their wagers by getting involved in the Oscars process themselves, which is understandable. After all, you can do this when you bet on The Voice or Dancing With The Stars.

However, though you may look into how to vote for the Oscars, unless you’re a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), you cannot cast a ballot. And if you are a member, you should probably close out this window and delete your browsing history, you naughty person! Boo! Hiss!