Lawmakers inCarson City are on the verge of giving Nevada casinos the go-ahead to experiment with a whole new form of gambling. Just imagine carrying your slot machine or roulette wheel with you to the pool, the bar, or the buffet.

All of that will be possible with wireless technology. The concept involves giving gamblers the freedom to move around a hotel without interrupting their ability to place bets. Hand-held devices would use radio waves to make wagers at the sports book, or even the blackjack table.

Wireless wagering, could be on its way to a casino near you. The use of mobile gaming devices has already been approved by the state assembly, and is now awaiting a vote from the senate. The bill gives casinos the okay to use wireless technology in public areas of the hotel for the purposes of gambling. For example, a sports bettor would not be restricted to the sports book to place a wager, he could be lounging by the pool and place his bet electronically. Or an avid blackjack player could leave the tables on the casino floor for a table in the restaurant and continue playing the game on a high-tech handheld unit.

A number of companies are developing PDA-based gambling systems, and their hope is that casinos will see a financial advantage to adding the technology to their properties. The devices could also be used for other services in the hotel, such as letting customers order drinks or merchandise that would be charged to their room and delivered directly to their current location. The systems won't be cheap, but developers of these tiny machines have their eyes on a big-time jackpot.

A company called "WI-FI" casino says its product could be used to gamble in the hotel, get Internet access, communicate with the concierge and even check-out and pay your bill when you're ready to leave.