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Businesses hope game brings back customers lost to smoking ban
By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal
Published on Sunday, Jul 13, 2008
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.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
CUYAHOGA FALLS: The large, yellow signs are sprinkled throughout the Front Street Pub: ''Coming Soon! Keno.''
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Posted 04:45 AM, 10/28/2008
Ohio’s governor, Ted Strickland, is in staunch opposition to the payday loan and cash advance industries, but has recently started fighting to pass a gambling bill. The bill would add Keno to Ohio’s lottery games. The bill actually took effect in August 2008, but is being challenged on the November 4 ballot. Strickland states that the bill is a part of a noble effort to raise money for the Ohio public schools. The bill also proposes an amendment to the state constitution that would ultimately authorize the construction of a $600 million casino near Dayton. Strickland is also an ordained Methodist minister, and has been taking criticism from all different kinds of people, including member criticisms from people from all walks of life, including his fellow Methodists. Strickland offers a utilitarian argument: although he opposes the expansion of gaming, this bill will be best for the common good of our children. It’s obvious to see how desperate Strickland is to improve Ohio’s economy. By supporting this bill, Governor Strickland is more or less facilitating financial irresponsibility. Strickland thinks it’s okay for his citizens to gamble away their rent or mortgage payments for the sake of their children’s futures, but disapproves if people need help from a payday lender when they’re short on cash? Can you say “hypocrite?” Gambling is addictive. And this is not the last thing that we can do for our children’s good future. There are many ways. This will just put us to sudden financial trouble.
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