The citizens of Dover, New Hampshire will be given the opportunity in November to decide whether or not certain establishments will be allowed to offer keno gambling. The Dover City Council voted unanimously this week to allow the matter to go to ballot during municipal elections later this year. A public hearing was held on Wednesday.
Kelley-Jaye Cleland, director of sales and product development for the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, spoke to the council about the idea, saying that only establishments that sell alcohol (aka “pouring establishments”) would be allowed to offer keno. These types of places are licensed by New Hampshire’s liquor commission, which means that there would be excellent regulations in place. Stores that sell lottery games would not be allowed to offer keno, noted the Lottery Commission’s representative.
Dover’s decision comes in light of the bill signed into law by Governor Chris Sununu earlier this year, which allows the introduction of keno in the state in order to fund full-day kindergarten. The caveat with this bill is that each community has the right to decide whether or not it wants to allow keno. A community that opts out of the law will still receive state funding for full-day kindergarten. In addition, in communities where keno is allowed, an establishment owner will have the right to decide whether or not to carry the game. All proceeds from the keno games will go back to state coffers to cover education costs.
What’s in it for New Hampshire Liquor Establishments?
In a community where keno is allowed, liquor establishments will receive 8% of sales commission on the games, however, they will also be asked to pay an annual licensing fee.
Under state law, the games will be operated by the the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and will be allowed to run between 11 am and 11 pm every day. Keno draws will take place every five minutes.
Cleland told the hearing that the lottery estimates that around $43 million will be raised from introducing keno. Around 250 licenses will be distributed state-wide, at a cost of $175,000 per license.
City Manager, Michael Joyal, said that he had consulted with the police chief regarding any problems he saw with bringing keno to Dover.
“I did ask him if the police department would have any concerns and he did not express to me any concerns of any issues other than what we deal with now with people at bars and establishments that imbibe too much,” said Joyal.
