The Web: 'Wagering on March Madess'

CHICAGO, March 15 (UPI) -- This spring, the annual ritual of the NCAA basketball tournament -- colloquially known as "March Madness" -- begins once again. Online, a similar, high-stakes rite commences once more too: gambling by fans on the outcome of the prestigious collegiate basketball tournament. Experts tell United Press International's The Web column that online betting volume will "dwarf" that seen earlier this year during professional football's Super Bowl.

"While buzzer beaters and upsets grab the headlines, what really captivates millions is their vested interest in office pools, rather than the performance of their favorite team or alma mater," said Simon Noble, founder of PinnacleSports.com, an online sports book service based in St. John's, Antigua. "For every person who enters an office pool, there's a good chance you will find another placing a bet on the tournament games over the Internet." By Gene Koprowski