Meredith voters will decide on allowing Keno at Town Meeting, but first, a public hearing

MEREDITH — Town voters have rejected allowing Keno in restaurants and bars for several years, but this year the measure is on the Town Warrant, per state law, asking voters to decide whether they prohibit the game of chance.

The selectboard is holding a public hearing about the article on Monday, Feb. 23, where voters can voice their opinions, thoughts, and concerns ahead of Town Meeting. Keno, a lottery game, is played at bars and restaurants across the state, as well as casinos.

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 through a “quick pick” at random.

Last year, House Bill 737 went into effect, permitting Keno in establishments that serve alcohol, unless voted down locally. State law requires a community to opt out of legalizing Keno by June 1, 2027; otherwise it will automatically be permitted.

The proposed article, Article 21, asks if the town should prohibit the operation of games of chance, with a majority vote required.

The selectboard held a public hearing about all articles except for this one on Feb. 9. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Robert Carpenter said during the hearing there needs to be a separate public hearing for that specific article.

On July 21, 2025, selectboard member Jeanie Forrester wrote in a column in The Daily Sun indicating proponents of the game say it helps fund education, while those opposing it say gambling addiction leads to increased losses. She noted previously communities needed to approve Keno through a ballot vote, and Meredith voted against it.

The game has been on warrants in the past, and was defeated at Town Meeting multiple times, last in 2019. That year, Meredith was one of 29 towns in New Hampshire which asked voters to decide.

Forrester was in opposition in 2019, when it was last defeated by voters. Her comments on Feb. 9 show she is leaning that dame direction.

“I always have an open mind, but unless there is new information that supports it, I most likely will not support,” Forrester said.

Selectboard Chair Mike Pelczar said on Feb. 9 this was “nixed” by the board in the past, and it was also handily defeated by the town’s voters multiple times. He said with the exception of a couple establishments, they “didn’t get much flak” about the board’s opposition.

Pelczar noted while Keno is not allowed in Meredith, it can be played in surrounding communities, like Center Harbor. It can also be played in the City of Laconia. Pelczar feels the town isn’t the right place for it, and if people want to play games of chance, there are opportunities nearby.

“I am still not for it, and will vote the same way,” Pelczar said. “Meredith is a cute little town, and I don’t think it is for us.”

Pelczar said the beauty of the article is that it will be put up to the voters, regardless of his or any board member’s feelings.

“I love letting the people decide by a vote,” Pelczar said. “That’s how it should be.”

The public hearing will be held at the regular meeting of the selectboard, starting at 4:30 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Meredith Community Center.