Conn. AG Urges Changes Before Allowing Keno

SUSAN HAIGH

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Attorney General Richard Blumenthal advised Connecticut legislators Monday to amend the state's memoranda of understanding with two federally recognized Indian tribes before attempting to legalize Keno in the state.

He said the proposal to bring Keno to Connecticut, suggested last week by Gov. M. Jodi Rell as a way to raise about $60 million a year in new revenue, could risk the $400 million the casinos provide the state annually in slot machine revenues.

Under that memoranda between the tribes and the state, no other person within Connecticut has the right to operate a "commercial casino game." Blumenthal said current law is unclear whether state-run Keno would be considered a "commercial casino game." Also, he said Rell's proposal is vague and does not specify the type of Keno gaming that's being contemplated. ...