"Connecticut may be desperate, but not so desperate that it has to plug a considerable chunk of its budget shortfall with a new game of chance.

Whether keno is determined to be a lottery or casino pastime - a debate under way between the state and its two casino operators - it's a lousy way to raise revenues.

Adding keno could also jeopardize the existing revenue stream and current good relations the state has with the two casino operators - the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Indian tribes. The tribes contend that keno is not a lottery, but a casino game, as spelled out in federal law governing gambling on American Indian reservations. Furthermore, they maintain that their compacts with the state prohibit keno competition off the reservations.

Why pick a fight with the two casinos that contributed $378 million in slot machine earnings to state coffers last year?"

Get the Story:
Editorial: Keno, cynical solution to budget woes (The New London Day 3/6)

Earlier Story:
Connecticut tribes hope to avoid fight over Keno games (3/4)