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Villanova Prepares To Do The Impossible: Good-Bye North Carolina

MONTREAL, March 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- March Madness delivered what it promised over the weekend - heart pounding action. Wake Forest is done. Syracuse is done. Wisconsin-Milwaukee beat out Alabama and Boston College, wiggling its way into the Sweet 16. For basketball fans and sports bettors alike, this weekend delivered non-stop entertainment.

"If a No.3 seed can be beaten by a No.14, it goes without saying that no team is unbeatable," said Mike Foreman, spokesperson for BetUS.com. "I think this past weekend took many by surprise. Kansas loses to Bucknell? They could play 99 more times and that wouldn't happen again! My money's on North Carolina to take home the Championship."

Undeniably, TV sets around the country were locked on the NCAA tournament. March Madness has unfolded with powerful upsets and starlet victories. According to Foreman, phones at BetUS.com rang off the hook all weekend. The company was forced to bring in extra call takers to service the high volume of calls.

"Thankfully our staff is understanding. This is the busiest month of the year in sports betting," said Foreman. "The entire executive management team, including myself, was on the phone taking bets."

Foreman reported that call volumes were up 55% compared to the same time last year. Reporters from USA Today stated in an article last Thursday that the online gaming industry would cash in $1 billion to $1.3 billion in basketball wagers during the month of March. With the Sweet 16 preparing to tip-off on Thursday night, Foreman believes that wagering will continue at rapid pace between now and the NCAA Championship game.

"These tournaments are filled with upsets," said Foreman. "Perhaps Villanova will punt North Carolina from the competition - who knows? What I do know is that all teams remaining are on edge by what unfolded over the weekend. Each team is preparing for the unexpected - that's the only sure bet during March Madness," Foreman concluded.

BetUS.com has North Carolina listed as a 9-point favorite over Villanova. The entertainment gaming company has posted odds on the remaining teams in the March Madness bracket and is offering myriad 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 remaining team to make the Final Four and total wins by each major conference. For a complete listing of propositions and odds, visit www.BetUS.com.

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.

CONTACT:  BetUS.com
          Crystal Harris, Manager of Media Relations
          800-577-1105
          crystalh@betus.com

          Mike Foreman, Spokesperson
          800-993-1236
          mikef@betus.com