The Pennsylvania Lottery has launched its first new game under the state’s gaming expansion approved in 2017 with a live Keno game offered in bars and restaurants.
“We pride ourselves on responding to market conditions,” lottery executive director Drew Svitko said in a press release. “We recognize the opportunities presented by new technology and the need for modernizing our operations and points of purchase and the way we’re delivering products.”
The lottery’s processor generates a new draw every four minutes. Players can watch the draws live or online at palottery.com and on the lottery’s mobile app.
According to Svitko, Keno will pay players about $0.65 for every dollar wagered, similar to lottery’s current return.
“Pennsylvania Lottery Keno players are going to love this exciting, new way to play and win,” said Svitko. “Although you can play Keno at any lottery retailer, it’s the first game we’ve specifically marketed to businesses where adults gather to have fun—such as bars and restaurants.”
Players will also have the ability to monitor and limit the amount of money they wager or the amount of time they spend wagering through their online accounts, Svitko said. Players must be 18 years of age or older and physically be located within Pennsylvania to play.
Keno is the first phase of the Pennsylvania Lottery expansion, Svitko said. Players will soon be able to set up online lottery accounts and purchase 10 to 15 different games.
“These games are meant to appeal to a new audience,” Svitko said. “These are a lot closer to a game like Candy Crush than what people are accustomed to in a game like Powerball. These are meant to be engaging, entertaining, relevant games. We have fewer young people playing now than we would like.”
The expansion will also include the eventual introduction of Xpress Sports, which allow players to place bets on fantasy outcomes in simulated football games and auto races. Like Keno, wagers will be limited to local bars and restaurants.
