After a very controversial and highly contested launch, the game of keno has so far been an unsuccessful endeavor in Nova Scotia and could be on the way out if earnings do not improve.
The Progressive Conservatives introduced the game video lottery keno game this spring despite criticism from gambling awareness organizations who are worried that the game would only increase gaming addiction and crime rate in the province. But keno has not caught on with gamers and is bringing in profits that are lower than expected.
Now the NDP government, who were critical of keno, may cancel the whole thing altogether. Finance Minister Graham Steele said on July 28th, 2009 that he have asked the gaming corporation to prepare briefing regarding the performance of keno and how much it would cost Nova Scotia to cancel the game.
Steele said that it is easier to leave a game that is not meeting up expectations. But he does not want to form any final judgment that the game is not working until he review all of the facts regarding the issue.
The Finance Minister said that he does not want to walk into government and say that he knows all the answers. Steele said that one indication that it is not performing well is that revenues are considerably smaller that what is expected.
The game of keno involves buying tickets then watching the television screen in bars or restaurants for a few minutes to see if you match some of the winning numbers.
[05-08]
John M. Thorpe
