CONCORD, N.H. – Town Meeting voters in 36 towns across New Hampshire voted last night in favor of bringing KENO 603 to their communities. Of the 36 towns, there are hundreds of eligible establishments who could offer KENO 603. Governor Chris Sununu signed legislation last year establishing KENO 603 as a revenue source for full-day kindergarten. The legislation was developed to give municipalities the option to allow KENO 603 by putting it on city election ballots or the warrant of annual town meetings. KENO 603 launched statewide in December and currently more than 50 establishments offer the game.
A total of 45 towns voted on KENO 603 last night and 31 more towns will vote during Town Meetings through the rest of this week. One town, Newbury, tied in its vote, and New Hampshire Lottery officials are awaiting word on the final decision on that vote. A total of nine towns voted against KENO 603.
“We are pleased to see the response from voters across New Hampshire who have expressed their support for KENO 603. It’s tremendous to see this many towns believing in their local businesses, many of which have already filed paperwork with the New Hampshire Lottery to offer KENO 603,” said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery. “Over the coming weeks we will be working diligently to bring KENO 603 to the dozens of establishments that have expressed interest and we will be reaching out to additional eligible venues.”
The following towns voted in favor of KENO 603 last night:
| Towns |
|
|
| Alton |
Hooksett |
Pittsfield |
| Auburn |
Hudson |
Plaistow |
| Belmont |
Jaffrey |
Raymond |
| Bethlehem |
Lancaster |
Rollinsford |
| Bow |
Lincoln |
Salem |
| Charlestown |
Littleton |
Sandown |
| Colebrook |
Milford |
Seabrook |
| Danville |
Milton |
Shelburne |
| Derry |
Newmarket |
W Stewartstown |
| Epping |
Newton |
Warren |
| Gorham |
Pelham |
Weare |
| Hampton |
Pittsburg |
Winchester |
“We are certainly hearing the benefits of KENO 603 from the restaurants and taverns offering the game,” McIntyre added. “Establishment owners say the game drives traffic, gives patrons something fun to do and has already become an attraction driving new business.”
More than 30 establishments filed paperwork with the New Hampshire Lottery to become KENO 603 retailers in advance of Town Meetings. New Hampshire Lottery officials estimate establishments that have already filed paperwork will be up and running with KENO 603 within two to three weeks. The full implementation process, including completion of paperwork, processing and installation, takes approximately five to six weeks.
KENO 603 retailers are paid an 8-percent sales commission – the highest in the country – as well as additional bonuses. Along with KENO 603, licensed businesses would be able to sell all of the other available lottery games.
During each KENO 603 game, players choose from one to 12 numbers, and every five minutes (11:05 AM to 11:00 PM) 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.
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. The New Hampshire Lottery anticipates KENO 603 could ultimately generate as much as $9 million in annual net profit.
The cities of Berlin, Claremont, Franklin, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, and Somersworth approved KENO 603 during municipal elections last year. Outpacing projections, it took less than six weeks for KENO 603 to eclipse the $1 million sales threshold. As of today, total KENO 603 sales have reached nearly $2.6 million.
About New Hampshire Lottery
Since 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery has had a significant financial impact on the state. For the past 53 years, the New Hampshire Lottery has recorded more than $6.3 billion in lottery sales and other earnings, with over $4.2 billion paid in prizes and other cost of sales. Net proceeds to education total nearly $1.9 billion to date.
The New Hampshire Lottery Commission, located at 14 Integra Drive in Concord, currently manages all lottery operations in the state, including instant games, New Hampshire Powerball®, New Hampshire Mega Millions®, Tri-State Megabucks℠ Plus, Tri-State Pick3®/Pick4® Daily Numbers games, Gimme 5, Fast Play games, Lucky For Life® and KENO 603.