On June 12th, 2008, the Arkansas Racing Commission has given its go signal to the addition of the keno game to the electronic gaming games that can be offered at the Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis. The Racing Commission voted on the issue, agreeing on the version of the keno game that utilizes some skill. Electronic games of skill are allowed to be offered in Arkansas at racing tracks at Southland and at the Oaklawn racing park in Hot Springs.
But critics commented that the keno games possess little difference to the slot machines, which is considered to be a game of pure luck. The Southland racing track has petitioned for the approval of keno and other games. GLI or the Gaming Laboratories International, serves as a consultant to the Arkansas Racing Commission and it studies proposed games whether they can meet the requirements of the state that it should be a game of skill.
A GLI study given to the Racing Commission confirmed that the game of keno follows the rule set by the state. Keno can be compared to the game of bingo and lottery. The player picks around fifteen numbers and if their reward will be based on how much numbers that they will be able to hit.
Southland President and General Manager Troy L. Keeping commented that the variation of the keno game that managed to get the approval of the commission will put up a group of digits and will give players the option to increase their wager or maintain it.
[02-07]
Louis Blechdom
