KENO funds going up to $2,900

CONCORD — KENO 603 total sales have grown to nearly $20 million since the game launched on Dec. 15, 2017.

As the game marked its one-year anniversary, the New Hampshire Lottery is reporting KENO 603 sales are averaging approximately $460,000 per week. During Fiscal Year 2018, KENO 603 sales totaled more than $8.7 million, and with the game continuing to pick up momentum, sales thus far this current fiscal year have already surpassed $10 million.

“The New Hampshire Lottery is pleased with the success of KENO 603 over the past year, but we are just beginning to tap the potential of this new and exciting game,” said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery.

“We hear regularly from restaurant and tavern owners about how KENO 603 positively impacts their business, driving traffic and adding a fun, new activity. We look forward to working with officials across the state, as communities will have another chance to vote on KENO 603 during Town Meetings next spring.”

More than 160 establishments in 66 communities offer KENO 603, and the New Hampshire Lottery continues to add establishments on a weekly basis. Based on feedback the New Hampshire Lottery has received from business owners, restaurants and taverns offering the game have reported significant food and beverage sales increases, and many have reported hiring additional staff to accommodate the increase in business.

“I am proud of the investment we are making in full-day kindergarten and I am extremely pleased to see the success of KENO 603, which has played a critical role in supporting the expanded kindergarten program,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Clearly, KENO 603 has been a fun and exciting new game complementing the New Hampshire Lottery’s already robust offerings. We look forward to continued success this year as more establishments sign on to offer KENO 603.”

As part of the legislation establishing KENO 603 as a funding source for full-day kindergarten, individual municipalities have the option to allow KENO 603 by putting it on city election ballots or the warrant of annual town meetings. Beginning in 2019, the state will utilize revenue generated from KENO 603 to increase funding for full-day kindergarten from $1,800 per student to $2,900 per student.

During Fiscal Year 2018, KENO 603 sales generated $2.175 million in support of full-day kindergarten in New Hampshire. To reach optimal revenue levels, the New Hampshire Lottery is projecting it would need the majority of New Hampshire communities to approve KENO 603, with upwards of 250 establishments offering the game.

“Along with facilitating the implementation process, the New Hampshire Lottery is continuing to provide information and resources to establishments interested in offering this game,” McIntyre added. “As more communities approve KENO 603, more establishments will offer the game, which together will continue to boost sales and revenue.”

The following 66 communities voted in favor of KENO 603 over the past year:

Albany

Haverhill/Woodsville

Northumberland/Groveton

Alton

Henniker

Ossipee

Auburn

Hillsborough

Pelham

Barnstead

Hinsdale

Pembroke

Belmont

Hooksett

Pittsburg

Berlin

Hudson

Pittsfield

Bethlehem

Jaffrey

Plaistow

Boscawen

Laconia

Raymond

Bow

Lancaster

Rollinsford

Center Harbor

Lincoln

Salem

Charlestown

Littleton

Sandown

Claremont

Madison

Seabrook

Colebrook

Manchester

Shelburne

Danville

Milford

Somersworth

Derry

Millsfield

Tilton

Enfield

Milton

Troy

Epping

Nashua

W Stewartstown

Errol

Newbury

Warren

Franklin

Newmarket

Washington

Gorham

Newport

Weare

Goshen

Newton

Wilton

Hampton

Northfield

Winchester

During each KENO 603 game, players choose from one to 12 numbers, and every five minutes (11:05 a.m. to 1 a.m.) a computer randomly generates and displays 20 winning numbers from 1 to 80 on a television monitor. A player may place a wager from $1 to $25 per game. The more numbers players match, the more they win.

To learn more about KENO 603 and to apply to become a retailer, visit http://www.nhlottery.com/keno