BOISE -- Idaho lawmakers want the 2009 Legislature, not Gov. Butch Otter or the state horse racing commission, to decide whether pari-mutuel betting on races in cyber space should be allowed alongside existing gambling on events for live animals.

Steve Bieri, the head of a California-based company which operates Les Bois Park in Boise, was hoping to win support Tuesday for his proposal featuring virtual jockeys, trainers and racing forms.

But a 5-1 vote of members of House and Senate subcommittees showed lawmakers want to wait until the full Legislature meets next year before deciding whether such activities fall under existing rules governing gambling on live and simulcast horse, mule and dog races.

Otter and the Idaho State Racing Commission already back a temporary rule to allow betting on virtual races starting November 17, but the Legislature could dump that rule when it meets in January.

In 2008, Bieri's company has given more than $22,000 in campaign contributions to groups including the Idaho Republican Party Central Committee as he seeks to curry favor with lawmakers.