The Ohio Lottery Commission recently received approval to sign a $900,000 contract with a Georgia based company to add a ‘Booster’ option to the Keno game. Republicans have been objecting the move but the option should help the underperforming Keno game.

The director of finance for the Lottery Commission, Dennis Berg, told the state Controlling Board that the Booster addition to the keno game would let players bet more in an effort to increase their winnings by up to ten times. Berg stated that the commission was hoping the addition would bring in $13 million more this fiscal year which ends on June 30th. The addition is estimated to bring in an additional $30 million next year.

The Commission is working with Scientific Games International to add the Booster and the Company will be paid only if the expected revenues come in, according to Berg. A contract was not put out for a bid as the company still holds the Booster patent.

Senator David Goodman of New Albany is one of the three Republicans who voted against the request. He stated: “I am concerned they couldn’t have broadened the intent and got a more competitive bid. Also, I have a problem with allowing the Lottery Commission to take advantage of taxpayers and generate more revenue from Ohioans who are probably better off keeping it in their pockets.”






- 2010-01-20