Editorial: Keep Keno discussions in Connecticut out the public

Adding Keno to the state’s legalized gambling menu was an idea that came out of nowhere in the closing days of the legislative session. It was tucked into the state budget at the last minute. There were no public hearings held, and no legislative debate on its merits.

The budget bill language, adopted along Democratic party lines, projects that the state will collect $31 million in new lottery revenue from Keno over two years -- and that’s after 12.5 percent of total Keno income is shared the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes.

Both tribes claim the state’s casino compact gives them exclusive rights to such games. The revenue sharing plan is intended to avoid the need of seeking a legal clarification to that claim. Given sharp drops in slot revenues, an infusion of state money into casino coffers would likely be welcomed. More public disclosure would be welcomed as well.