It has only been two weeks since Keno machines made their debut but local bars say that business is booming. Keno is a bingo style game and has brought customers out to the local bars in large numbers. Owners have stated that the new games give patrons something to do while they wait or it’s just something new to experience.

One such bar is Wee Willy’s Sports Bar in Marblehead. Terrie Petroff, the manager, said the bar has been really busy with customers playing the game. "We've had lots of winners," Petroff said. "A lot of people have won $20 and $50 games." It definitely gives people something to do, Petroff said of the interactive game.

Petroff says that her employees check the player’s numbers to see if they have won or the customer can scan the ticket on the bar code scanner located on the wall. Most people have the employees check, which takes some time, Petroff says, but usually the winners are good tippers.

The game is a selection of 20 numbers out of 80. Players can choose different wagers and combinations of numbers to bet, with wagers up to $100 per game card. The drawings take place from 11:04 am until 1: 44 am, and are shown every four minutes during that time period.

The Ohio Lottery Commission plans to have 2000 keno locations by the end of the year and the state should see a good turnout when they are all in place, as the first day of Keno last month had over 200,000 transactions and the net sales for the first week were $1.8 million, with payouts of $1.2 million. The profits are supposed to go to the Lottery Profits Education Fund for the state and they are expected to receive $73 million by the end of the year.


- 2008-08-18