Ohioans could begin playing the fast-paced lottery game Keno in July, after the state Lottery Commission today approved rules to govern the game.

In a 5-3 vote, the panel approved rules that would allow for drawings every four minutes between 11:04 a.m. and 1:44 a.m., seven days a week. Prizes would range from $2 to $2 million, if players match all 10 numbers drawn at random.

Gov. Ted Strickland greenlighted the Keno game Jan. 31 as a way to raise an estimated $73 million a year toward education. Critics quickly pounced, saying the faster draws — and playing in hundreds of bars and restaurants across Ohio — would push the lottery into casino territory.

Although the Lottery Commission doesn’t have the authority to override Strickland, three of its eight members voted against the rules because they said they were uncomfortable with the new game.

“In my mind, this is not a minute at the 7-11 counter,” said commission member Jon A. Allison, a top aide to former Gov. Bob Taft. “This is a social experience at a restaurant or a bar, and it’s different.”

Other commission members noted that revenue from the game should stave off cuts to public education and that Keno isn’t significantly different from other lottery games.

Lottery officials said Keno could be operating in 1,950 locations by the end of this year.