On November 6th, 2007, the McCook City Council was informed that the keno machines that are used in McCook is not the same with the old machines that are available in another keno store in Nebraska, when staff were allegedly tampered with the machines.
A complete description of the differences between the two types of keno machines was enough to convince at least a single council member and by a five-four vote, the council passed on its first reading a modified ordinance that will permit keno outlet operators and their staff to enjoy the game after working hours at the outlet that they are working in.
Council man Lonnie Anderson, who voiced concern at a meeting on October 15th, 2007 about the possibility that the keno machines can be tampered, had voted with Councilman Jack Rogers against reconsidering the keno ordinance. But after his concerns were answered, he voted in favor of the ordinance with Mayor Dennis Berry in favor of modifying the keno rule while Councilman Rogers remained against the keno measure.
Councilman Rogers started the discussion by referring to the October 25th articles printed in the Omaha World Herald that the employees allegedly tampered with keno machines. Mike Nevrivy, who operates keno machines in Nebraska, commented to the council that the outdated machine was utilized at that keno outlet and those keno machines are different from what is used in his outlet.
Nevrivy said that a rabbit ear type of keno machine was utilized at that location where live keno balls are manually released to two plastic tubes before being drawn. This type of keno games generally give problems and are nothing like the machines at his keno outlet. Nevrivy said the numbers are generally chosen by the computer on his keno equipment.
Councilman Aaron Kircher said that he had talked with a representative from the State Gambling Commission about the different kinds of keno machines and the problems that are with it.
Kircher said that another type of keno machine, KL 2000, is also suspected that it allows individuals to manually manipulate the machines. The main purpose of the amended keno ordinance would permit more people to participate in the game.
[20-11]
Louis Blechdom
