BOSTON (AP) – The Massachusetts State Lottery wants to offer “virtual horse racing,” a proposal that could make it the first state in the nation to allow wagering on the computer-generated races.

Lottery officials announced plans this week to debut the Daily Race Game/Run for the Money in November or December at restaurants and bars. They expect it to eventually draw $150 million in annual revenue.

Details were still being worked out, but lottery officials plan to offer races every 15 minutes, with a minimum bet of $2. Players could bet as much as they would at a traditional racetrack, with a similar wagering structure.

Each animated race would last about a minute and feature 12 numbered horses circling the track as a fast-talking announcer describes the action.

New York City-based Scientific Games Corp. won a $3.5 million contract to provide software to run the new game. Company spokeswoman Lisa Lettieri said Massachusetts would be the first state lottery to offer virtual horse racing.

Joseph Sullivan, the lottery’s executive director, expects the game to be widely available in bars and restaurants already licensed for the online game keno, as well as at horse and dog tracks.

AP-ES-04-15-05 0509EDT