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Council places Keno (Kino) prohibition question on November ballot after legislative change
Summary
Following a change in state law that reversed Concord's prior local-option approach, the council voted to place a question on the November ballot asking whether to prohibit Keno (Kino) within the city; the statute flips the default to allow Keno unless a municipality prohibits it by vote before statewide rollout in June 2027.
City leaders placed a question on the Nov. ballot Sept. 8 asking voters whether they wish to prohibit operation of Kino (Keno) within Concord. Staff said a recently enacted state law (House Bill 737, signed Aug. 1, 2025) changed the default: Keno will be allowed statewide by June 1, 2027 unless a municipality votes to prohibit it. The council said this is Concord’s opportunity to present the prohibition question to voters rather than allow the automatic statewide authorization to apply locally.
City staff explained that prior to the legislative change municipalities used an opt-in local option; the law now flips the model to opt-out. Councilors discussed voter education and a required public hearing; staff said the council’s October meeting will fall within the 15–30 day pre-election hearing window required for ballot questions and that the public will have the opportunity to weigh in.
Councilors noted revenues from Keno go to a state education trust fund and that the city does not receive a direct municipal revenue stream from Keno retailing. The council voted to place the prohibition question on the municipal ballot; if voters approve prohibition, retailers within the city would not be authorized to offer Keno under state rules when the game becomes available in 2027.
The council scheduled a public hearing in October as required by the statute to provide more information to voters ahead of the November election.
