I appreciate the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Kentucky Lottery Corp. to the recent editorial in the Daily News concerning our implementation of the online game keno. Several misconceptions about this game were included in the editorial.The assertion that the decision by the KLC board of directors to implement keno was hasty is inaccurate. Our statutory operating mandate specifically directs us to continually review games that could help the KLC return more revenue to the state, and we have been making reports on this topic available to policy makers in Frankfort since 1996. Our board has long been aware of the potential benefits to the commonwealth of bringing the game online and was well-versed about the situation prior to taking a vote. It has been a long-standing policy and practice of the KLC to not advance a game like keno without specific direction from the states policymakers. We always envisioned that direction coming from a governor and/or the General Assembly. The KLC board acted on a specific recommendation from Gov. Patton, and consequently, their action was not inconsistent with this long-standing policy and practice.There has been confusion as to the difference between keno and video lottery terminals (VLTs). VLTs, or video slot machines as some people call them, are stand-alone games that closely resemble what youd find on the floor of any casino in the U.S. Keno is different because its a game played over the same operating system as our other online games, such as Pick 3 and Powerball. The primary differences are the frequency of drawings, the way by which the numbers are selected (by a computer using a random number generator), and the way winning numbers are broadcast (through graphics transmitted to television monitors rather than live televised drawings). Rest assured that the KLC has absolutely no plans whatsoever to implement VLTs without specific authorization from the General Assembly. However, the KLC board of directors and its managers based on the advice of legal counsel feel that keno is a game that can be offered under our existing operating statutes, and are confident we have the legal authority to make the game available to our players. To date, neither the KLC nor the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling have found any peer-reviewed scientific research that indicates keno to be any more or any less addictive than any other form of lottery games. That said, problem gamblers do exist thats a fact we recognize. As a result, the Kentucky Lotterys Play Responsibly program has worked to help problem gamblers and their families get the help they need for many years now. This program will be implemented just as strongly with our keno retailers as it is for all of our other products. The bottom line is that our projected sales loss due to the implementation of the Tennessee Lottery will cost our state a huge number of need- and merit-based scholarships. Since 55 percent of our proceeds are slated to go to need-based scholarships by fiscal year 05-06, this will be the group that suffers most. Providing an online keno game would allow the KLC to maintain or increase payments to the commonwealth at a time when they are so desperately needed. Chip Polston is vice president of Communications Government and Public Relations for the Kentucky Lottery Corp.