On November 22nd, 2007, the Scotts Bluff County Commissioners decided to pass the proposal to privatize the county's keno operation. After studying two proposals, the county board decided to accept one proposal from Lucky Keno LLC, which has a business name of Lucky Keno.
The company also operates games for Terrytown, Gering, McGrew, Minatare, Alliance and Bayard. Commissioner Ken Meyer, together with the county's keno committee, studied the proposals. He said that a good point for Lucky Keno, was that the company would give the county 12.25% of gross profits yearly under a five year contract.
Aside from that, if the contract were ever disregarded, the county would get the ownership of all the keno games equipment and any modifications made during the agreement. The president of Lucky Keno, Andy Clarkson commented it was advantageous to the county to retain the ownership of the keno equipment because they can still continue the operation of keno on their own should anything happen and the keno contract needed to be ended.
Keno has been present in Scotts Bluff County for more than two decades. Keno is offered at gaming parlors in different locations and produced between $200,000 and $600,000 for the county. Commission Chairman Mark Masterton commented that they have been studying the pros and cons of turning the operation of keno in the county to a private operator because they do not have the time or skill to run the games properly.
Under the gaming agreement, the county will study the keno operation in two years to see if the standards are being met in the agreement. If not, the contract will be renegotiated or terminated.
One condition is that the county should receive a minimum of 10% of gross profits from the keno operator. Clarkson said that it is a big accomplishment for them and that they plan to keep all of their 14 employees. Clarkson said that their proposal is a good thing for both sides because Terrytown is just beyond the river from Gering.
He added that they are already planning some marketing activities and some drawing in their keno outlet but said that it may take a while to get it fully functional.
[03-12]
John M. Thorpe
