Conn. AG Urges Changes Before Allowing Keno

The Legislature's Office of Fiscal Analysis estimates the next two years are $8.7 billion in deficit, while Rell's budget office maintains it is $7.95 billion.

The co-chairmen of the Legislature's Public Safety Committee, which deals with gambling matters, have mixed opinions about Keno.

Rep. Stephen Dargan, D-West Haven, said he likes to gamble and is willing to try and reach a compromise on Keno. Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, said she thinks "it needs a lot more time" and that Rell's revenue estimates are exaggerated. She also has concerns about expanding gambling and its implications.

"If it's something that ends up in bars, are we going to end up with people having an extra drink at the bar, waiting for that next Keno card to come up and will we, in turn, have more people who shouldn't be drinking and driving," she said.

While the details of Rell's plan have not been released, advocates have said Keno would likely be played at bars, restaurants, private clubs and bowling alleys. One company that supplies Keno devices, Scientific Games Corp., has been talking with state legislators, the Connecticut Bowling Proprieters Association and the state's restaurant association about the concept.