Ohio Lottery says Keno sales strengthening

Associated Press - March 9, 2010 11:05 AM ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio lottery says its Keno game appears to be catching on after a sluggish first year and a half.

Lottery Director Kathleen Burke says the game similar to bingo set a sales record on Friday, and 3 of the last four weeks have been among Keno's most profitable.

Burke told the editorial board of The Columbus Dispatch on Monday that the turnaround has resulted from better marketing and education of players and employees at establishments offering the game. She says the introduction of automated Keno machines also has helped.

Keno was launched in August 2008 and made $30 million in its first year, far less than the $73 million profit that Gov. Ted Strickland and other state officials were expecting. It's played in about 1,100 bars statewide.

Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com