Legislators will hold a public hearing Wednesday afternoon on a bill that would legalize Keno in Connecticut, as the state attempts to raise more gambling revenues.
The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee will convene the hearing on House Bill 7054 at 1 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building.
Written testimony on the bill was published on the General Assembly’s website Wednesday morning.
Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander Gregory Smith wrote that Keno could bring much needed revenue to VFWs, which could help them to expand their efforts to get military vets disability compensation, GI Bill benefits and to help elderly vets.
Patrick McHugh, a senior vice president for Scientific Games International, which has been a Connecticut Lottery vendor since 1988, wrote that seven of the top 10 lotteries in the country offer Keno. They include Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.
The bill would benefit restaurants, bars and retailers, McHugh wrote.
As of Wednesday morning, more than 100 Connecticut residents submitted brief testimony mostly opposing the bill.
Republican State Sen. Tony Hwang also opposes the bill, arguing that the estimated $28 million in revenue it could raise in the state is not worth the social costs of addiction and disproportionate impact on minorities and low-income residents.
Hwang noted a June 2013 Quinnipiac Poll, which found that 59 percent of state residents oppose allowing Keno in restaurants, bars and stores.
Lawmakers and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy struck a Keno proposal from the budget last year.
