Controlling board OKs new Keno game machines

Special to The Vindicator

COLUMBUS

The state Controlling Board approved lottery officials’ request for about $16 million to purchase 900 new “Quick Keno” gaming machines, to be placed in bars and other locations around the state that already offer Keno lottery games.

Monday’s approval was unanimous and came after a few brief questions from lawmakers, who noted that the purchase was allowed as part of current contracts.

The lottery commission plans to buy the machines from Intralot Inc., the Georgia-based company that long has provided monitoring and related lottery systems used by the state.

The state’s current Keno game offers players a chance to pick numbers throughout the day, with drawing every few minutes.

The new units will allow instant Keno drawings, meaning players can insert their payment, pick their numbers and see whether they’ve won.

The Quick Keno Game will be rolled out on a pilot basis initially as an expansion of the lottery’s other instant-win games.

A spokeswoman said earlier that the new units should be in place by mid-summer.