Casino operator replaces sports-betting system

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Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 | 10:40 a.m.

Herbst Gaming Inc. has signed a licensing and maintenance agreement with VirtGame Corp. and Las Vegas Dissemination Co. to offer sports-betting systems in three Nevada casinos.

VirtGame, based in San Diego, has received regulatory approval in Nevada for a "closed-loop" computer network that allows gamblers to bet from remote locations. The system doesn't use the Internet and therefore isn't in violation of rules prohibiting online gambling, the company says.

Las Vegas Dissemination Co. is the primary supplier of racing data to sports books in Nevada and will serve as the distributor of the system to Herbst.

The new system will be virtually identical to Herbst's previous system but could allow the company to eventually offer betting kiosks and other updated technology to allow customers to bet remotely, VirtGame President and Chef Financial Officer Bruce Merati said.

"The agreement with Herbst Gaming is a clear sign that we are on the right track launching our software into the Nevada market," Merati said.