Punters can use mobiles to bet in new Hoosier Park initiative

Indiana’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in downtown Indianapolis says that punters can now bet on horse races using hand held devices…and they’ll soon be able to place wagers from their smartphones….but only on the property.

The Associated Press news agency reports that the company has introduced the FastBet Mobile system to their services, spanning Hoosier Park’s Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille and OTB.

Starting Monday this week, guests were given the option of using 7-inch tablets, supplied by the business, to place bets from wherever they are on the property, including the restaurant and bar, which have live races showing on several television screens.

Further expansion is planned for the July 4 weekend, when gamblers will be able to use the free online betting service on their own smartphones, iPads or Android tablets.

To use the in-house tablets, guests must put down a $50 deposit, which is refunded when the tablets are returned, general manager Tricia Lavore said. Players must first deposit funds into an account at a teller window, and the account balance will always be displayed on the tablet.

The technology allows gamblers to plave their bets much closer to the “off’ in races, getting the latest odds, Lavore pointed out, adding that punters who tested the system said they enjoyed being in a social environment and spending time with friends while they all placed bets together.

Lavore said there are other off-track-betting sites around the country that are using the program, but the Winner’s Circle is the only facility in Indiana to receive the approval from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission to use it.