Leave it to the gamblers to actively be the ones to root for global warming.

After all, if Manhattan turns into an artificial reef and is under water by Dec. 31, 2011, the wise prognosticator can stand to make $10,000 on a $1 investment. In what may be the craziest gambling lines ever offered, online sports book %BetUs.com is actively offering wagers on the effects of global warming.

None of the capes are safe, either. Historic Cape Cod, Mass., is predicted to go down by 2015 at +15000 odds, as is Florida's Cape Canaveral at +10000.

But Cape Canaveral is of little concern to the Sunshine State because it's an option to bet that none of Florida is expected to be dry land by 2011. Jump on that beachfront property early, you Georgians!

Naturally, none of these events are likely to happen, which is why BetUs is offering these staggering paydays. It does sort of make you think twice about climatic disaster, even though any sadist holding the betting slip must wait many years for the outcome.

So far, the betting is hot (pun intended). BetUS has accepted more than 3,000 bets placed on global warming, said spokesman Reed Richards in an article in the Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press.

Global warming isn't the only wagering area outside the traditional realm of sports.

Prop bets are listed on everything from the coming events of the latest season of “The Sopranos” on HBO to the latest antics of Britney Spears with everything in between.

 Low payday odds on Spears include a future that sees her come out as a lesbian (+200) or get arrested for a DUI (+200). The high-payday odds include a future that has the troubled pop star marrying Michael Jackson (+15,000).

Going back to “The Sopranos,” BetUs has the least amount of faith that Michael Imperioli's character Christopher Moltisanti will make it through the season alive. Of all the show regulars, Moltisanti is listed at only +200 to survive. Edie Falco, who plays Tony Sopranos' wife, Carmela, appears to be safe with +1350 odds.

Chuck Blount | 210SA