Otoe County's keno lottery contributed its initial $10,000 by the end of 2009. County voters approved keno in November 2008 and the first county-operated keno games started at The Clubhouse at Table Creek located in 5633 I Rd., in April 2009.
Keno games were offered later at The Avenue Grill located in 610 Central Avenue and the Eagles Club located in 600 First Corso. By December 31st, 2009, Otoe County's keno lottery fund had grown to $10,251.
In November 2009, keno game contributions were $3,440 from the Eagles Club, $979 from the Avenue Grill and $5,019 from Table Creek. The biggest game payout in a single day in November 2009 for the Eagles Club was $621 on November 24th, 2009. At Table Creek, $1,142 in prizes were paid out on November 19th, 2009.
The Avenue Grill paid out $341 on November 6th, 2009. Nebraska City has collected $418 in September 2009, $394 in October 2009 and $319 in November 2009. The $10,000 collected by Otoe County after eight months of keno gaming, is below estimates discussed by the Otoe County Board before the contract approval with AGT (Advance Gaming Technology).
John Hassett of AGT told County Commissioners in January 2009 that Otoe County could receive as much a $53,300 annually. Otoe County maintains a separate keno lottery fund and has had no spending from the keno fund.
The city applies its keno gaming revenue to the general fund. The county receives up to ten percent of keno proceeds, with five percent going to the Nebraska City's general fund for games played within the city limits.
The keno game operator, Advance Gaming Technology, receives fourteen percent and seventy-four percent goes to players as prizes.
[14-02]
John M. Thorpe
