Online Bookies Caught Off Guard by Miss Venezuela 2009 Win

As a 40/1 odds long shot, Miss Venezuela was not supposed to win the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant.  Neither was Miss Japan two years ago when she too was crowned as a 40/1 long shot. 

BetUS.com was one of many online gambling websites offering Miss Venezuela as a huge underdog this year despite that country's dominance in beauty pageants. 

"Venezuela is to beauty pageants as Brazil is to soccer," said Payton O'Brien, Senior Editor of the Gambling911.com website.  "They should never be long shots in this sector."

And because of Venezuela's reputation as a power house in the pageant field, this year's victor Stefania Fernandez certainly got some action. BetUS.com does not disclose actual numbers.

"We know they are paying out though," O'Brien said. 

The Miss Universe pageant is one of the most bet on entertainment events.  Gambling911.com reports heavy traffic leading up to the 2009 Miss Universe and even heavier traffic following the payout results.

Typically, Miss Venezuela, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss USA dominate the field year after year and rule as favorites.  Miss Mexico is usually among the top 10 as well but failed to make this year's finalists despite being one of the big favorites to win.

Venezuela has as nearly as many crowns as the Pittsburgh Steelers has Super Bowl rings.  This is the country's sixth title and its second consecutive year winning.  It is also the first time a nation has brought the crown home two years in a row. 

Fernandez, an 18-year-old brunette, became the 58th winner of the title in a show broadcast live around the world from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas.

An even bigger long shot nearly pulled off the biggest upset in Miss Universe history as Miss Kosovo finished as the second runner up with 80/1 odds.