Ready to Keno

Local businesses gear up for new Ohio lottery game

By MICHAEL D. McELWAIN (mmcelwain@reviewonline.com)

EAST LIVERPOOL - So far, three businesses in East Liverpool have expressed an interest in offering the state's latest lottery effort - Keno.

Described by lottery officials as being a lot like bingo, Keno is a game where players try to predict some matching numbers in a specific round. Every four minutes, another round of numbers is selected.

In January, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland put forth the idea of adding Keno to the lottery mix as a way to keep the state budget in the black. Strickland said as much as $73 million a year in expected revenue generated by Keno play will go to schools throughout the state and offset some necessary budget cutbacks. State officials had projected an estimated $733 million budget deficit.

Since Strickland's announcement, the Ohio Lottery Commission has been reaching out to specific business owners to get the program moving. Unlike other lottery offerings such as scratch off tickets and games like Rolling Cash 5 or Pick 4, Keno has specific regulations on where it will be available.

A location holding a State of Ohio Class D liquor permit may offer Keno, but only if the business operates as a bar, restaurant, tavern, entertainment establishment or a social, veteran or fraternal organization.

According to information from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, there are currently 27 Class D liquor licenses within the East Liverpool city limits. One license - that belonging to the former University Club - is still awaiting a transfer to a new business owner.

So far, three Class D license holders in the city have expressed an interest in Keno and have met with state lottery officials to push the idea forward.

Information provided by the Ohio Lottery Commission on June 23 shows the East Liverpool Motor Lodge along Dresden Avenue, Zatta's Cafe on Washington Street and A1 Quick Stop Drive Thru on Pennsylvania Avenue as future Keno retailers.

"I expressed interest in offering Keno because it's something we definitely need in this state," David Zatta, the owner of Zatta's Cafe, said. "I was in the gambling industry for a while and over in West Virginia at the track, the parking lot was full of cars with Ohio license plates."

Zatta hopes with the introduction of Keno, local folks will keep more of their money local.

"This will give people a chance to go to a nice bar or restaurant, have a drink or two and play something like Keno for a little while then go home," Zatta said. "That money will stay right here in our state."

East Liverpool Motor Lodge owner Tom Wycoff agrees.

"We thought it (Keno) would be a good fit for our bar and lounge area," Wycoff said. "With an increase in popularity in watching sporting events here like fall football, we thought Keno would be a good fit to enhance an entertainment opportunity at the Motor Lodge. We want to be at the forefront of these opportunities."

"I truly believe that this will help generate millions of dollars that will go to our schools," Zatta said. "We need that really bad right now."

Both Zatta and Wycoff agree that being able to add Keno is a positive step for a community so close to a state where limited video lottery businesses dot almost every street corner.

"It's so hard watching the entertainment money go over the river when we need the business right here," Wycoff said. "I'm glad it's nearly here, and it can be a big boost to the economy in Ohio."

When a business offers Keno, it must also become a full-scale lottery retailer. Along with Keno, patrons will also be able to buy a chance at all of the other games under the Ohio Lottery Commission umbrella.

The rollout date for Keno was supposed to by July 1, but both Wycoff and Zatta said their training sessions have been pushed back. The expected rollout date for Keno is now set for Aug. 4.

According to the Ohio Lottery Commission, one business in Salineville - Rukart's Tavern - has also expressed an interest in Keno along with three establishments in Lisbon and one in Salem.

All Keno retailers will receive the standard lottery equipment. Patrons will be able to use a terminal to pick their game and to select numbers, and a printer will give a copy of the ticket. A verifier can be used by the patron to check if they are a winner.

Keno retailers will also receive a monitor to display winning numbers. The first drawing will start at 11:04 a.m. and continue every four minutes until the last drawing at 1:44 a.m. For a $1 wager, a patron can win a top prize of $100,000.

Both Zatta and Wycoff look forward to the arrival of Keno.

"I was probably one of the first ones to sign up for it," Zatta said. "It was Christmas time for me when I heard we were getting it. We owe a lot to our patrons because they've supported me in this new business. Keno will be another little perk."

Wycoff, cognizant of people who may disapprove of lottery play, said Keno will remain in the bar and lounge area.

"It will be one more reason why people will come to the Motor Lodge," Wycoff said. "We have a friendly staff and an upscale environment. Keno will compliment what we can offer here and fit right in."

Both business owners said they hope the Ohio Lottery Commission will expand the lottery and even the playing field with West Virginia and Pennsylvania.