Malloy on Keno gambling: It’s the legislature’s call

As the state Lottery gears up to implement Keno gambling in bars and restaurants throughout the state, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told reporters that he is open to repealing the law passed last year that allows for its roll out.

Keno has not yet opened outside the state’s two casinos, but the state budget does rely on $27 million in revenue from Keno in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

“Keno wasn’t my idea. It wasn’t in my budget [proposed last year]. It does raise revenue. Some people want it. Some people don’t want it. You know, the legislature’s got a job to do and this was not done by me. So, we’ll do whatever we are asked to do and affect it appropriately,” the Democratic governor told reporters Wednesday.

Sen. Andrea Stillman of Waterford, a strong opponent of gambling, has proposed a bill that would repeal Keno.

Malloy said that while it is ultimately up to the legislature to sort out, “I will point out that Keno is ubiquitous and is frequently run by lottery organizations in other states, but you know that’s a political decision. But I am not the person that proposed Keno.”

Malloy did sign the budget last spring that included revenue from the Keno games and the budget he proposed to the legislature last week does depend on $27 million in revenue from the games for the 2014-15 fiscal year.