Jim Magner, project manager for Progressive Gaming, demonstrates the Rapid Bet Live compute, which will be used by sports bettors at the Palms during tonight's NFL game between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Photo by Craig L. Moran. Rich Baccellieri Palms sports book director sees great potential for wireless wagering system

Seconds before New England's Tom Brady releases a pass in today's game, bettors at the Palms sports book will be able to wager on whether the pass will be complete or incomplete.

That's a simple example of in-game wagering, which is nothing new. The difference now is that a wager can be placed from a seat anywhere in the sports book or even at the bar about 125 feet from the betting windows.

The Palms, implementing a product developed by Progressive Gaming, is introducing wireless wagering in Nevada for today's New England-Minnesota game.

"I can honestly say I'm excited about it," Palms sports book director Rich Baccellieri said. "The state has not seen this product. Who thought a sports book would be first to use wireless gaming?"

The Rapid Bet Live system, installed at the Palms in March for college basketball, features wagering while a game is in progress. To use the system, customers have had to sit by one of 12 fixed monitors.

The wireless system is operated by holding a device about the size of a laptop computer, and the Palms has eight such devices.

"The player will not be restricted to sitting in one particular area to wager on a game in progress," Baccellieri said.

It's still a relatively small area where wireless gaming is permitted, mostly to ensure there are no problematic delays in communication. Any attempted use outside of the sports book area triggers an out-of-bounds message that prohibits bets.

The product remains in a trial phase and will be closely monitored by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

"We've tested it a lot. We think it's pretty solid," said Jim Magner, project manager for Progressive Gaming.

Magner said the system was put together in March through work with a team of wireless engineers. The security of the system was tested for five months.

"We have a bigger vision," said Magner, indicating that wagering on cellular phones could be the next step. "In the future, you will be able to have a wireless mobile device and you will be able to place wagers outside of the casino."

After signing up and making a deposit, a customer receives login information and a password. The screen on the device allows for viewing of wagering options, wagers made and wireless gaming rules.

"It's very easy to use," Magner said.

Baccellieri said vigorish on the wagers will not be unfair propositions for customers, and he expects business to be brisk for NFL games.

"I'm more interested in the 'wow' factor and return business," he said. "It's all about the players. It's not about our hold percentage.

"We began Rapid Bet back in March during the NCAA Tournament, and you could see the product had a lot of potential. I wouldn't say it was an overwhelming success for baseball, but since football has started, it has become an extremely successful product for us."

The betting menu today will be restricted to the Patriots-Vikings game. In the future, Baccellieri said, wagering will be available on multiple games in progress and betting options will expand.

Making the lines is not difficult, he said, and requires only one or two oddsmakers.

"The more interest this product piques, we could certainly be a little more creative. We can do anything we want," Baccellieri said.

"With decreasing handles in the state of Nevada, this Rapid Bet product with Progressive Gaming certainly gives us an edge on the competition, and we wish to flourish in the future rather than go backwards."