CUYAHOGA FALLS: The large, yellow signs are sprinkled throughout the Front Street Pub: ''Coming Soon! Keno.''

Owner Terry Conley can't wait.

''I think it's going to enhance business,'' he said while standing next to a beer cooler at the small neighborhood sports bar. ''I'm really hoping this keno works out for everybody.''

The Front Street Pub is one of more than 1,000 bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and horse racetracks throughout Ohio that have been approved or have applied to offer the new state-sponsored form of gambling when it debuts Aug. 4.

State leaders hope keno — a numbers game run by the Ohio Lottery Commission — pumps up state revenue, predicting a $73 million profit on $292 million in sales in its first full year. Meanwhile, many business owners hope the video game fills their wallets and recaptures some of the customers they lost because of the state smoking law that took effect last year.

Some customers even hope that keno opens the door to full-fledged casino gambling in the state — something voters have rejected several times.

''I think it's a step in the right direction to show that gambling is wanted here,'' Bill Kennell, 65, of Tallmadge, said while drinking a Budweiser at the Front Street Pub last week.

Major investment

The lottery commission is spending about $28 million to launch the game, including the cost of installing video monitors, satellites and other equipment in each location.

At the end of the year, the agency hopes to have 2,000 keno sites statewide. (Locations must have a liquor license to be eligible.)

So far, Cuyahoga County leads the state with 159 locations, according to a database provided by the commission.

The rest of the top five are Lucas (home to Toledo), 76; Franklin (Columbus), 62; Hamilton (Cincinnati), 55; and Lorain (Lorain and Elyria), 51.

Stark, with 38, and Summit, with 34, are ranked eighth and ninth.

Only two counties — Adams and Coshocton — aren't represented.

Lottery spokeswoman Marie Kilbane could not explain why Cuyahoga leads the state by such a wide margin. The lottery commission is headquartered in Cleveland and perhaps more publicity has been generated about keno there, she said.

What's keno?

Keno is similar to the lotto.

Players can pick anywhere from one to 10 numbers out of a pool of 80 on a gaming ticket. A computer then randomly selects 20 numbers and they appear one at a time on a special video monitor.

The minimum bet is $1 per game, but people can wager up to $20.

The amount won depends on how many numbers match and the bet.

For example, a $1 bet on a single number would win $2 if that number is matched. A $1 bet hitting 10 matched numbers would win $100,000.

Drawings will be held every four minutes from 11:04 a.m. to 1:44 a.m.

People unfamiliar with the game are curious about how it works, Conley said. But those who have played it in Las Vegas or other states such as Michigan and New York are excited.

''I've played it in Las Vegas. Keno is a fun game,'' said a Front Street Pub customer who would identify himself only as ''J.R.'' ''I'll play it here.''

He added that he's tired of watching Ohio residents take their gambling money to casinos in neighboring states.

''I'd rather see it stay here and help schools,'' he said. ''The bottom line is that if they are going to smoke, they are going to smoke. If they are going to drink, they are going to drink. If they are going to gamble, they are going to gamble.''

Drawing customers

There's a simple reason business owners want to offer the game.

''Money. That's the reason,'' said Terry Weathers, owner of the Shamrock Nite Club in Barberton. ''It can't hurt us. The smoking law has about broke us all.''

Keno is just another form of entertainment for people when they are having a beer or food, said Terrie Dragan, general manager of Hook, Line & Drinkers in Coventry Township.

''It's a business decision,'' she said. ''We hope in the long run it will help increase our revenues.''

Retailers will receive 5.5 percent of the sales at their businesses and bonuses for cashing winning tickets.

Places that offer keno must also become full-service lottery agents, providing some lottery tickets as well.

Jim Palmer, owner of Kent Lanes in Kent, noticed he lost some customers when he stopped carrying lottery games last year.

He's signed up to be a keno site.

''Without the lottery last season, a few customers were disappointed,'' Palmer said. ''We're going to attract some new customers who come for lottery.''

He plans to market the keno game with bowling, offering specials that will include bowling and keno plays.

''It's going to be an option for people to make their night more enjoyable,'' Palmer said.

For details about the Ohio Lottery, go to http://www.ohiolottery.com/ or call 800-686-4208.