Ohio Racetracks Expected to Offer Keno

by John Kady

The Ohio State Racing Commission said July 8 that most Ohio racetracks would probably install Keno terminals at their facilities when the game launches in the state Aug. 4.

Keno is supported by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, who previously opposed the installation of video lottery terminals at the states racetracks. A spokesman for the racing commission said he didn’t know which tracks would install the terminals, but said he assumed “they all would.”

The game will be administered by the Ohio Lottery Commission. A winner will be announced every four minutes in the game, which will be available at other outlets around the state as well.

Supporters of VLTs at tracks have said for years Ohio is losing money to neighboring states with gaming at racetracks or casinos.

Among the Ohio tracks that expressed in Keno earlier this year are Beulah Park near Columbus and Northfield Park near Cleveland. Northfield recently opened a sports bar and lounge on the first floor of its grandstand.

Other tracks in the state are River Downs near Cincinnati, Thistledown near Cleveland, Lebanon Raceway near Dayton, Raceway Park in Toledo, and Scioto Downs in Columbus.