The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved emergency rules today that would allow on-line gambling at the state licensed Prairie Meadows horse track in Altoona. Racing and Gaming administrator, Jack Ketterer, says the rules will allow what’s called “Advanced Deposit Wagering.”

Ketterer says gamblers set up an account with an advanced deposit wagering operator, and they could then wager on races around the country or at Prairie Meadows if they are an Iowan. He says they could place the bets on-line, over the phone or with a mobile device. Ketterer says the commission does not normally use emergency rules, but they did so in this case to allow Prairie Meadows to begin offering the option as soon as they are ready.

He says the legislature approved the procedure and there were no comments at a public hearing on November 8th. Ketterer says if they had gone through the normal process, final approval would not come until March. He says they did not want to be “the fly in the ointment that is holding the thing up.”

Ketterer says another consideration is the economic benefit it will have for the state. Ketterer says Prairie Meadows and Iowa horsemen will start receiving the revenue for the on-line betting that has been going out of state, and that will benefit Iowans.

Ketterer says the rules approved today make sure the betting is done legally. He says the rules are specific on the process and procedures for the advance deposit wagering company so they have things like password protected accounts, and make sure the people wagering are not underage.

Prairie Meadows C.E.O. Gary Palmer, told the commission they are in the process of setting up their A-D-W system. Palmer says they’ve had a lot of A-D-W companies come in and show them what they do and he says they’ve decided along with the horsemen to hire a consultant to help them decide how to set up the system. Palmer says they should be able to start offering A-D-W by the new year.

He says it has been an “interesting and exciting proposition thus far.” Palmer says they are moving along quickly and hope to be able to meet the goal of starting on January first.

Ketterer says it’s not yet know how much money the A-D-W system might bring into the state.