Keno in NH

Keno sales started in New Hampshire on December 15, 2017. As of the summer of 2018, 63 towns and cities in New Hampshire allow keno at bars and restaurants.

What is keno?

The New Hampshire Lottery describes Keno as follows:

During each KENO 603 game, players choose from one to 12 numbers, and every five minutes a computer randomly generates and displays 20 winning numbers from 1 to 80 on a video monitor. A player may place a wager from $1 to $25 per game. The more numbers players match, the more they win.

Visit the NH Lottery website to learn more about the game of keno or to find where to play

How does keno work in NH?

Before any bar or restaurant can offer keno, the town or city must approve the game.

After that, establishments with a valid liquor license can apply for a $500 annual license to offer keno. The state then provides the keno equipment.

Where does the keno money go?

The licensee keeps 8% of the revenue from keno sales. 1% goes to the state for gambling addiction treatment and prevention. The remaining 91% – minuses expenses – goes to school funding.

Click here to learn more about school funding issues in New Hampshire

In particular, keno provides extra revenue for full-day kindergarten programs. Before keno, all public kindergarten programs in the state were funded as half-day programs.

Click here to learn more about debatees around early education and kindergarten in New Hampshire

Since there hasn’t yet been a full year of keno, there is not yet a full financial report. However, in just the first six weeks of keno there were over $1 million in sales.

Is keno good for NH?

Keno supporters argue that it benefits the economy by boosting business at restaurants and bars. Keno also provides much-needed education funding.

Opponents argue that keno is too much like slot machines, and increases the risk of gambling addiction across the state.

Click here to learn more about the debate over gambling in New Hampshire

Do you have an opinion on keno? Share your opinion in the comments below.