On October 31st, 2006, a world leader in diversified products and services for the gambling market, Progressive Gaming International Corporation (NASDAQ: PGIC), publicly announced that the Palms Hotel and Casino, which is the current host of the live wager field Trial for the Rapid Bet Live Wireless, has began receiving bets through mobile betting phones. An introductory event was held that day during the football game between the New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings.
The Rapid Bet Live Wireless allows "live" betting during the actual event. It also gives the customers the opportunity to place their bets on their cellular devices from their own seat anywhere in the betting books and even at a pub.
The Rapid Bet Live Wireless in configured to up an extension of 125 feet from the betting booths for beta purposes. The system was developed last March of this year by a team of wireless and network engineers after the "wired" version was given the go signal.
The network then underwent rigid testing during the last five months by the Progressive Gaming International Corporation and the Nevada Gaming Control Board's Technology Division.
The trial could take about 30 days. According to Chief Executive Officer Russ McMeekin commented that this is the first of its kind that has been allowed to be tested for live wage trial in the state of Nevada.
The company is very pleased about launching their latest cellular phone sports betting in the wireless format at Palms. On the other hand, Jim Magner, the Product Manager for the Rapid Bet Live Wireless said that this is the next step in betting. In the long run, they are expecting the necessary safeguards for their customers to bet while outside the casinos using their cellular devices.
November 19, 2006
Matt Gross