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SPRINGFIELD — Six businesses in Clark and Champaign counties have applied so far to offer keno, the new Ohio Lottery game that will be available only in bars, restaurants, race tracks or bowling alleys, starting Aug. 4.

"Keno is a bingo game for lottery players," Ohio Lottery Sales Director Dan Metelsky said.

The games are part of a package of measures pushed by Gov. Ted Strickland to close an estimated $733 million state budget deficit this year.

The state is expecting to take in $73 million annually from the games. It will use the money to "protect the increase in funds for local schools," said Keith Dailey, Gov. Ted Strickland's press secretary.

In keno, players pick one to 10 numbers from a pool of 80 numbers. They then try to match what they pick with a pool of 20 numbers the machine picks. If players match all 10 numbers, they win $100,000; if players match one, they win $2.

Locally, six establishments have applied to have keno equipment installed:

• The 19th Hole, 2101 Park Road, Springfield

• The Barn, 411 Upper Valley Pike, Springfield

• Frickers, 1616 Upper Valley Pike, Springfield

• Victory Lanes, 1906 Commerce Circle, Springfield

• Stinger's 2 Sports Lounge, Urbana

• Village Inn Tavern, Mechanicsburg.

More than 1,000 Ohio bars, taverns, bowling alleys, racetracks, amphitheaters and restaurants applied for keno permits. About 950 of them met the Ohio Lottery's criteria, which are that they have liquor licenses to sell alcohol, have social facilities for on-premise consumption and playing, and have passed a background check, said Metelsky.

"We hope it will generate fun, excitement and competitiveness," said Frickers general manager Chuck Jones, "but we don't know what to expect."

Village Inn Tavern owner Darla Randall said she hopes keno will bring in revenue she lost since the smoking ban.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0349 or dselden@coxohio.com.