American Legion members tell Meredith selectboard Keno would boost their community outreach efforts

MEREDITH — Residents with views from opposite ends of the spectrum gave their input during a public hearing regarding the warrant article about Keno at the Feb. 23 selectboard meeting.

The town voters have rejected allowing Keno in restaurants for several years, most recently in 2019. This year, the measure is on the warrant under Article 20, which asks for voters to decide whether they prohibit the game of chance.

Director Robert Carpenter said during the meeting that a few years ago there was an opt-in requirement, but that has been changed to an “opt-out.”

Keno is a lottery game played at bars and restaurants across the state, but currently not allowed in Meredith. However, House Bill 737 says if the town doesn’t opt out by June 1, 2027, it will be automatically permitted.

“We have discussed it at length,” Carpenter said.

Melissa Dever, finance officer for American Legion Post 33, was joined by Commander Alan Wilson and 1st Vice Commander John Dever, and spoke on behalf of the Legion to support allowing Keno sales.

Devers said the post exists to serve veterans, their families, and the broader Meredith community, and the “canteen” and related activities fund essential programs for veterans assistance, scholarships, youth initiatives, memorial observances and charitable community support.

She said the organization, like many other nonprofit and veterans organizations, seek lawful and responsible ways to generate revenue, without increasing financial burden on the Legion or taxpayers. Devers said allowing Keno would help with a dependable source of supplemental income.

“These funds would directly support our mission to assist local veterans in need, maintain our facility as a safe and welcoming community gathering place, and expand our charitable contributions to local causes,” Devers said.

She also said Keno would bring in increased patronage, which would not only strengthen the local economy, but generate state and municipal revenue. Devers said Keno is already successfully implemented in communities across the state, and regulated in a responsible manner.

“We are committed to full compliance with all state and local laws, and ensuring that any Keno activity remains well managed, transparent and community focused,” Dever said. “We respectfully ask the selectboard to consider the positive impact that this opportunity would have on veterans and the broader community. Your support will help us continue serving those who have served our country, while strengthening local civic life.”

Selectboard member Jeanie Forrester asked if there was a projected revenue figure, but Dever said they was not, because it has never been an option. She said they are willing to determine and assess one.

Forrester reminded the group the article will appear on the warrant, and while the board supports it going on the warrant, the real time to make their case is at Town Meeting. Dever said this was their first step, and they would be ready.

“We’ll be back,” Dever said.

Resident Wayne Heiligmann is not in favor of Keno, saying he has been to establishments offering it, and he sees what it does to people. He also said the state takes most of the money, and very little will come back to places that offer it, like the American Legion.

“I’m not in favor of this, because all it does is increase alcohol abuse, and can also make it so the town has to have more resources for the police department in case there are any issues, because of excessive drinking,” he said. “And a lot of people do drink as they’re playing Keno. Something I have visually noticed at multiple places. I personally do not play Keno, nor am I a gambler.”

The game involves players choosing up to 10 numbers on a card, and a computer randomly picks 20 winning numbers, from 1 to 80. The more spots a player chooses, the bigger the potential prize. The numbers are displayed on a screen at the establishment, and players win by matching numbers.

Players can wager between $1 and $20, and can choose up to 20 consecutive games to play, which occur every four minutes. Numbers can be chosen specifically, or at random.

The board moved to accept the article as presented to be put on the Town Warrant for voters to decide.

Town Meeting will be held at Inter-Lakes Middle High School at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11.