First month of Keno sales below annual projections

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Ohio Lottery says sales for the new Keno lottery game didn't keep pace with annual projections during the first month of operation.

But spokeswoman Marie Kilbane says it's a traditionally slow sales period and it's much too early to make projections.

As of Aug. 31, Keno brought in $7.2 million and awarded $4.6 million in prizes.

Kilbane says weekly sales have been around $1.8 million since the game began Aug. 4.

Lottery officials expected before Keno's launch that it would bring in $292 million annually to help plug a projected budget deficit.

Officials say getting more retailers up and running with the game is key to increasing revenue. There are currently 974 authorized dealers with a goal of 2,000 by the end of the year.

------

Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com