Issue: Is Keno, the State Lottery’s Newest Game That Plays Every Five Minutes, Good for Corner Markets? : Kwang Shon: Owner, John’s Liquor Market , 2428 S. Vermont Ave.

I like the Keno game, but not as much as the other lottery games. Sometimes people wait around in the store while they’re playing, and in a small store like mine even five people is a crowd. I already had the computer, so the lottery officials suggested I could handle Keno too. It’s only been two months so I’ll have to wait and see how it goes. But I think Keno is better for restaurants where people can sit down and play while they eat. . . . Last week, my Keno sales were higher than Super Lotto--$1,861 to $1,500.

David Gorum: Lives near John’s Liquor, where Keno is played It’s good as long as they (state officials) do something beneficial with the money and it doesn’t disrupt business and stop people from shopping. . . . I think they should donate some lottery money to local churches. . . . I’ve noticed more people coming around to the store, so maybe it draws business. Just as long as the people who play don’t bother people who come to shop. I even play now and then. Of course, I’d like it better if I won.

Joanne McNabb: Director of public affairs, California Lottery It’s good for any corner market that wants to offer its customers another lottery product. The store owner makes money too, not just on the commission, but in bonus prizes. . . . One of the things about Keno that appeals to players is that with the frequent drawings you can get in on one anytime. You can play, then do your shopping and find out if you won in a matter of minutes. There was some concern at first that people would be loitering around stores watching the Keno results, but people don’t play it that way. Loitering hasn’t been a problem. The really big sellers are social settings like bowling alleys, bars and restaurants where people spend a lot of time anyway. . . . For every dollar in sales, 34 cents goes to public education. The Los Angeles Unified School District gets about 10% of (that portion of) lottery money.

Detective Carl Olson: Administrative Vice Division, Los Angeles Police Department The position of the LAPD is that Keno may possibly be in violation of the section of the state penal code that forbids banking and percentage games. We’re supportive of a lawsuit filed Dec. 22 (against the Lottery Commission by Western Telecon, a company that operates coin-operated gaming arcades) against Keno. . . . We haven’t received any complaints from the general public, but the people I’ve interviewed perceive Keno as a sucker’s bet in Nevada and an even worse bet in California. It’s not a game to be recommended by any stretch of the imagination. . . . I don’t think markets will be making any more money on Keno. It’s more advantageous for a bar or restaurant where people sit around and socialize while they play. In some stores there may be a problem if customers can’t see the screen and have to rely on the store owner to tell them if they’ve won or lost.