-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 NFr9/wpBNiuGb9cXr0ffIw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000906477-08-000009.txt : 20080509
<SEC-HEADER>0000906477-08-000009.hdr.sgml : 20080509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080509182032
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000906477-08-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080509
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080509

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARENGO ROBERT R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001022092

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20685
		FILM NUMBER:		08820103

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7027350101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		885 MARSH AVE.
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89509

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN WAGERING INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001005214
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990]
		IRS NUMBER:				880344658
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0105

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		675 GRIER DR
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89119
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7027350101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		675 GRIER DR
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89119
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001005214</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN WAGERING INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BETM.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001022092</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BARENGO ROBERT R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>675 GRIER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAS VEGAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89119</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>525000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options/Right to Buy</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.79</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-01-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-01-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>400</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>400</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On January 31, 2008, American Wagering, Inc. (the &quot;Company&quot;) granted the reporting person an option to purchase 400 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to the Company's 1996 Directors' Stock Option Plan, as amended, at an exercise price of $0.79 per share for his fiscal 2008 annual board of director's service.  The grant was exempt under Rule 16b-3. The option is exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert R. Barengo</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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