The finance minister of Nova Scotia has released a study of a highly controversial electronic gambling game on September 5th, 2009 as he tries to decide whether to continue or discontinue the game of electronic keno in the province. Graham Steele had earlier stated to make the report created by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation public as he weighs keno's future.
Introduced last March 2009, electronic keno has so far not met profit expectations, producing only $700,000 - $1.6 million less than predicted by officials. Critics of the game stated that electronic keno, which permits keno enthusiasts to choose their own digits and keep an eye on the results on video screen, would further affect gaming addicts.
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation has created a brand new advertisement program and expects the revenue from the game to improve, reaching a break even point by March 2010. It is estimated that canceling keno altogether would cost about $3.5 million due to a write-off the game draw equipment, computer software and hardware, installation expenses, lottery retail terminals and other gaming equipment.
Steele stated that he wants to talk with all the stakeholders first including representatives of bars and restaurants, as well as health and gaming officials in Nova Scotia, before making a final decision.
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John M. Thorpe
