Lottoland and Tabcorp to offer Keno in Victoria following license approval

Lottoland Australia and Tabcorp were both granted 20-year licenses to provide Keno services for the state of Victoria. These new licenses will be valid until 2042 and will cover both online and retail services. The periods for both operators begin on April 15, 2022.

Tabcorp's most recent Keno agreement included an AUS$25 million ($17.94 million) upfront fee. This was in addition to upgrading its 10-year retail-only license, which Tabcorp received in 2012 for AUS$60 million ($43.03 million).

Sue van der Merwe, Tabcorp's Managing Director Lotteries & Keno, stated, "Tabcorp is pleased to continue its partnership with the Victorian government. with the longer term and expanded channel flexibility offered under this licence."

She added, "The new structure will allow us to continue offering Victorian players a world-class Keno product and responsibly grow the game further, backed by our extensive retail and brand presence and the expertise gained from our existing Keno online business."

Tabcorp holds the sole - and long-running - approvals and licenses to conduct Keno in New South Wales. Its license for operations with co-licensee ClubKeno in the state expires in 2050.

Lottoland Australia applauded the Victorian State Government's decision to grant the gaming operator a 20-year license to provide Keno services in the state. Lottoland will launch KenoGo, its online Keno platform, after the license approval.

Lottoland CEO Nigel Birrell asserted in a company press release, "We are thrilled to have been granted a Keno licence by the Victoria State Government and look forward to launching KenoGo in 2022. I would like to personally thank the Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, and the Victorian State Government for awarding the first dual licence in Australia.

"Most importantly, this licence means that consumers in Victoria will be able to enjoy Kenoonline on their smartphone or computer for the first time ever, with new gaming experiences and greater choice through Lottoland."

Following the Keno Licence Review by the Victorian government and subsequent invitations to apply for Keno licenses, the new Keno licensing system was established. It is a return to the structure used prior to 2012, when two authorized Keno operators in Victoria were permitted.

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