As Floridians prepare for Tropical Storm Alberto, Internet gambling sites are taking bets whether a hurricane will slam into the state or any other location in the country, according to a report.

Gamblers on offshore Web sites are wagering on how many hurricanes will sail through the Atlantic and even their intensities when they make landfall.

"We're not hoping for any disasters," Betcris.com market Director Jose Duarte said. "We are just giving our customers another option to entertain themselves."

WagerWeb and Betcris run offshore, online sites featuring offbeat stakes.

Both are run out of Costa Rica where online gaming is licensed and attracts overseas gamblers.

Online bettor Dan Leach has more than $1,300 riding on the season, according to the report.

"I would be happy if all these storms were in the middle of the ocean and didn't harm a person." Leach said. "That being said, I'm a guy who looks for value out there whether it be a hurricane, a corporate trial, or a basketball game. I'm looking for value out there."

At a Hard Rock Casino in Florida, where the gambling action is limited primarly to slots, gamblers said, "Why not?"

"If the stats were favorable, I'd bet," a gambler said.

However, a victim of Hurricane Katrina said betting on hurricanes is not right.

"If they had lived through this type of disaster, you wouldn't make fun of that and go ahead and try and make money off these poor people who have nothing."

Some Web sites are offering 1 to 5 odds that a Category 3 storm or higher will hit the United States this year, according to an earlier report.

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