12 Portage businesses to offer Keno Online lottery game expected to raise $70 million for schools

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By Dave O'Brien
Record-Courier staff writer
Keno is coming to Portage County.
The online lottery game was approved for Ohio players in February by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Twelve businesses in Portage are among 1,001 the Ohio Lottery said will offer the game beginning Aug. 3.
Businesses with Class D liquor licenses are eligible for the game, which is expected to generate in excess of $70 million per year to pay for education and help balance the state budget in the face of cutbacks, according to Gov. Ted Strickland's office.
The game is played like this: Players pay $1 through $5, $10 or $20 and chose between one and 10 numbers on a card. A video monitor displays 80 numbers, of which 20 are drawn at random every four minutes from 11:04 a.m. to 1:44 a.m. Payouts, from $2 to $2 million, depend on the amount bet and the numbers chosen.
Kent Lanes, at 1524 S. Water St. in Kent, is one of the establishments that will have Keno. Jim Palmer, owner of Kent Lanes for the past year, said the bowling alley had lottery games in the past and that he had always intended to bring them back.
"I don't know if it's going to drive business, honestly, but being that we're so diverse " you can get your shoe rental, bowl a few games, play volleyball for a few hours, get some food, we have a full menu " I just thought it would be another option or enhancement to someone's night out," he said.
A former sales representative for Brunswick Bowling Corp. before he bought Kent Lanes, Palmer said he saw the positive impact of Keno on a bowling center in West Virginia.
"It didn't tick off people who didn't like to gamble, and those who liked to play could come out, fill out their card and quietly play their Keno," he said.
Owners of the other establishments on the list could not be reached for comment by press time Monday.
Palmer said Keno and bowling could be a good package for patrons 21-years-old and above. He said he doesn't believe it will lead to slot machines.
"Nothing tells me we're going to have gambling in every bowling center," he said. "It's a nice option, not something flashy and glaring in the corner."

PORTAGE KENO SITES

KENT
Ciccone's Cafe, 425 Cherry St.
Checkers-N-Trophies, 352 W. Elm St.
Kent Lanes, 1524 S. Water St.
The Pub in Kent, 142 W. Day St.
BRIMFIELD
The Outpost, 4962 S.R. 43.
Jagers Pub and Brew Thru, 4033 S.R. 43
GARRETTSVILLE
Skylane Bowling, 8311 Windham St.
Sean's Pub & Eatery/Slim & Jumbos, 8105 Main St.
MANTUA
Village Tavern, 10678 Main St.
MANTUA TOWNSHIP
The Deck, 11697 S.R. 44
STREETSBORO
Streets Bar and Grill, 9107 S.R. 14
Scorchers Casual Eatery, 9244 Market Square Drive