Carolina Keno kicked off Sunday, October 29 at more than 650 outlets throughout North Carolina—primarily at bars, restaurants and convenience stores.
To play keno, participants fill out a form to choose 20 numbers from 1 through 80. The number of spots they play and match determines how much they will win. Drawings take place every five minutes, offering the chance to win up to $100,000. Ticket prices start at $1.
North Carolina Education Lottery officials estimate in its first year, keno will generate an additional $31 million for schools. They hope the game will attract new players and continue to generate extra net profits for public education.
Alice Garland, executive director of the North Carolina Education Lottery, noted keno typically is played in a group, with friends socializing and buying tickets as they watch nearby TV monitors for their winning numbers. “Our other draw games offer the chance to win prizes in daily or twice-a-week drawings but Carolina Keno will serve up its fun much faster. It’s exciting to have a brand new game played in a new way and in new places,” Garland said.
Eighteen other states already offer a version of keno, including Tennessee and Georgia.
Carolina Keno’s introduction comes one day after the multistate Mega Millions drawing will double its base ticket price to $2, beginning Saturday, November 4.
