Associated Press

North Dakota's Racing Commission hopes to install walk-up wagering kiosks to increase the number of off-track betting locations in the state to 100 within a couple of years.

The kiosks are being developed by Lien Games Racing of Fargo and Bam Software and Services of Walnut Creek, Calif.

Commissioners hope the kiosks will increase the amount of money bet at off-track sites, leading to more taxes collected on racing wagers. The Racing Commission is funded by those taxes, and passes along its funds to subsidize horse racing at tracks in Fargo and Belcourt.

Off-track betting dropped in 2003, when high-volume bettors left the state, and never recovered.

North Dakota Horse Park General Manager Heather Benson said, "2009, if nothing changes, is the last year of racing in North Dakota."

The Racing Commission got a demonstration of the "Bam in a Box" kiosks at its meeting Tuesday but took no action. Bam's president, John Ford, said that if the company installs 100 kiosks that each handle $100,000 in bets per year, it would generate $300,000 per year in various state taxes, most of which goes to the Racing Commission.

Racing Commissioner DeAnn Pladson of Fargo, said she hopes they can increase betting in the state.

"I like what they've done. It's attractive," she said.