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#1 UK gambling guide

Online Keno and All About It

Keno is a lottery-type game that originated in China during the Han dynasty around 205-187 BC. The ancient game’s origin lies with Cheung Leung, a government functionary who saw state-sanctioned gambling as a better method than additional taxation to raise funds for public works.

Modern lotteries and keno games were only legally allowed in China from 1847, but these games grew in popularity and were exported to Australia and the USA with Chinese migrants. Gamblers exchanged the Chinese characters for Arabic numerals to make the game more appealing to English-speaking players. Technology advances allowed software developers to offer keno online and on-demand to punters.

You’ll find out about the main rules and features of online keno, different wagers, strategies, odds, and the house edge of the game. We cover these topics in detail:

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Best Websites to Play Keno

If you’re keen to play keno games, try one of these websites from our list of trusted casinos that offer keno NJ. We’ll only display licensed and safe websites for you to use.

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • 1st deposit only
  • £20 min deposit
  • Claim within 48 hrs
  • Valid for selected games
  • Bonus wins capped at £500, excl. JP wins
  • 30x wagering – req. vary by game
  • Bonus expires within 90 days
  • Payment method & country restrictions apply
  • Withdrawal terms & T&Cs apply

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • £20 min deposit
  • Max. bonus: £25
  • 35x wagering applies.
  • Offer valid for 72 hours
  • Bonus Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Online Keno Main Rules Explained

keno main rules

When you play online keno, you’ll find the same rules apply as in a live casino. The game is easy to understand and is based entirely on luck. You can have the convenience of playing a lottery on demand any time of the day.

You select the numbers you want to bet on, wait for the draw, and collect your winnings according to the paytable. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the gameplay:

  • You have a grid with 80 numbers to choose from
  • Select the numbers you want to play on the grid
  • Most games will offer the choice to make a random selection on your behalf
  • Select the amount you want to bet on each combination
  • Select the number of games to play
  • Click on the Play button

You win if you’ve guessed some of the numbers correctly. The game paytable tells you what the game pays for winning number combinations. Winnings reflect on your balance immediately.

Understanding Types of Bets at Keno Game

When you play keno online, you’ll find that some games offer you different betting options. Although the names make them seem complicated, these variations on the way you place a stake are easy to understand. We’ve explained a few of the terms to help you know what to expect and the different bet types available in keno.

Online keno - straight ticket

Straight tickets

A straight or regular ticket is the most straightforward keno ticket there is. You select the numbers to bet on and add them to your card. The card is valid for one game, and your payout depends on how many numbers you guessed correctly.
online keno - way ticket

Way tickets

Way tickets allow you to choose and wager on number groupings, increasing your chances of a win. You can add several groups of five or ten numbers on your ticket and place your bet.
Online keno - king number ticket

King Number Tickets

You can designate a king number which will combine with other numbers on your card and as a stand-alone option, giving you an additional way to win. You can play a king number on any of the different ticket types.
Online keno - split ticket

Split tickets

A split ticket is a ticket with several number selections. You can play two games at once or split a card multiple times when you play keno game online. There’s no real advantage to a split ticket except convenience.
Online keno - split ticket

Combination Tickets

The combination ticket is the most versatile but also the most confusing of the keno tickets. A combination ticket allows you to combine way and straight bets on the same card and is most popular with online keno players.
Online keno - split ticket

Progressive Jackpot Games

The progressive jackpots in keno work the same way as slots progressive jackpots. The game has an initial seed amount, and a portion of each ticket bought contributes to the jackpot prize until somebody wins the grand prize. To claim 100% of the jackpot, you need to bet the maximum amount.

All About Odds, RTP & House Edge

Online keno odds and payouts

Keno has a very high house edge at 30%. A house edge of 30% means that 30% of all money contributed towards keno tickets is retained by the keno, and 70% is paid out as winnings. If you have 80 numbers to choose from, there is a 1 in 80 chance for each number to come up in each draw.

The chances of catching all three numbers on a three-spot ticket are 1%. The chances of having three numbers drawn off a four-spot ticket increase to 4%, and the odds of catching all 20 selected numbers on a full draw come to 1:3, 535, 316, 142, 212, 174, 320.

Most experienced keno players agree that you find the best odds on a ticket with between six and eight spots. You have a 0.01% certainty of catching all six numbers but a 13% chance of three numbers being drawn on a six-spot ticket. The best way to appreciate these odds is to try free keno before playing online keno for real money. We’ve provided a table below with payouts and odds of winning. 

Online Keno odds and payouts
Online Keno: Odds & Payouts
Picked Numbers Numbers Match Payout Odds
2 Numbers 2 out of 20 7:1 1:13
3 Numbers 3 out of 20 25:1 1:48
4 Numbers 4 out of 20 100:1 1:189
5 Numbers 5 out of 20
4 out of 20
250:1
20:4
1:718
1:50
6 Numbers 6 out of 20
5 out of 20
1000:1
125:5
1:3,383
1:169
7 Numbers 7 out of 20
6 out of 20
5 out of 20
5000:1
300:9
25:5
1:15,464
1:619
1:63
8 Numbers 8 out of 20
7 out of 20
6 out of 20
25,000:1
1000:5
100:10
1:74,961
1:2,438
1:199
9 Numbers 9 out of 20
8 out of 20
7 out of 20
6 out of 20
50,000:1
1000:1
1000:10
10:2
1:387,197
1:10,325
1:6851 in 86
10 Numbers 10 out of 20
9 out of 20
8 out of 20
7 out of 20
250,000:1
5000:1
1000:5
50:2
1:2,147,181
1:47,238
1:2571
1:261

Real Money Bonuses for Keno Players

With the high house edge, it’s easy to find online casinos that provide bonuses that you can use for keno. You can select a casino that offers keno and compare the welcome offers and promotions to find one that suits you best.

Once you’ve selected your casino and preferred bonus, deposit money, and start playing online keno for money. Remember that you need to meet the casino’s wagering requirements, and you can only have one promotion active at a time, so choose wisely.

Casino Gods
Welcome Package: £100 + 300 Free Spins
18+ | Play responsibly | Terms & Conditions
Bonus Terms

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • Min. deposit £10
  • Wagering requirements 40x(bonus)
  • Max bet £5
  • All Free Spins from the New Player Welcome Bonuses are valid for 72 hours
  • Free Spins will be credited at the rate of 30 per day
  • The maximum withdrawal amount for a player from their Free Spins is £100
  • Deposits via E-Wallets (Skrill/Neteller/Paysafe/Paypal/Ecopayz), are not eligible for the Welcome Bonus
Slotnite
Welcome package: £500 + 200 free spins
18+ | Play responsibly | Terms & Conditions
Bonus Terms

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • A minimum deposit of £10 is required
  • The minimum withdrawal from your cash funds is £10
  • The wager is 35x the value of: your original cash deposit + the bonus funds
  • Max bet £5
  • Any unused bonus funds will be removed from your account after 30 days
  • All Free Spins are valid for 10 days
Joy
Welcome Package: £100 + 200 Free Spins
18+ | Play responsibly | Terms & Conditions
Bonus Terms

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • Min. deposit £10
  • Players need to wager the Welcome Bonus 40 times
  • Max bet £5
  • The maximum withdrawal amount from their Free Spins is £100
  • Free spin are created 20 per day
  • All Free Spins are valid for 72 hours
  • Deposits via E-Wallets (Skrill/Neteller/Paysafe/Paypal/Ecopayz), are not eligible for the Welcome Bonus
Casino Lab
Welcome package: £100 + 300 Free Spins
18+ | Play responsibly | Terms & Conditions
Bonus Terms

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • Min. deposit £10
  • Max bet £5
  • 30 Free Spins will be instantly credited upon qualifying deposit
  • Remainder will be credited at the rate of 30 per day for 9 days on Reactoonz
  • Wagering requirements 40x(bonus)
  • All Free Spins are valid for 72 hours upon activation
  • The maximum withdrawal amount from their Free Spins is £100
  • Deposits via E-Wallets (Skrill/Neteller/Paysafe/Paypal/Ecopayz), are not eligible
Playfrank
Welcome Package: £100 + 50 Free Spins
18+ | Play responsibly | Terms & Conditions
Bonus Terms

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • Min. deposit £20
  • Bonus need to be wagered 35 times the sum of the received bonus amount
  • The wagering requirement must be met in full within 7 days
  • Maximum bonus bet amount is £4.00
  • The Bonus Spins are valid for 24 hours
CasiGo Casino
Welcome Package: 825 Free Spins
18+ | Play responsibly | Terms & Conditions
Bonus Terms

#AD New customers only. 18+

  • Max Bonus Bet £5
  • Min. deposit is £20
  • Get 3 Bonus spins for every £1 deposited up to 165 spins for each of your first 5 deposits
  • All spins are on Book of Dead only
  • Bonus funds must be used within 30 days
  • Bonus spins must be used within 10 days
  • Bonus funds are subject to 35x wagering and withdrawal requirements

Keno Strategies That Might Help You

Keno strategiesAlthough keno is based purely on luck, it’s always helpful to have some strategies in place to decide on how you’ll bet. These strategies may even increase your winning chances. The first thing to do is look at the paytables on the game you’re playing and find the best RTP for the number of spots on the ticket. You typically find that choosing six or seven numbers gives you the highest RTP.

Online keno - return to player
Online Keno RTP (Return to Player) %
1 pick 2 picks 3 picks 4 picks 5 picks 6 picks 7 picks 8 picks 9 picks 10 picks
75% 98.10% 90.19% 89.02% 86.08% 93.79% 93.61% 92.94% 93.49% 90.82%
Online keno strategie - look for pattern

Strategy 1 – Looking for Patterns

  • Looking for patterns is also a popular strategy in other games like Lotto or bingo
  • Looking for patterns can be especially helpful in live games that use a ball machine
  • The theory is that some numbers come up more often than others
  • Make a list of the numbers that have come up over the longest possible period
  • Find the numbers that come up more often than others and which numbers the machine seldom catches or not at all
  • Only bet on the numbers that appear frequently

This strategy relies on the idea that some numbers come up more frequently than others. Most online casinos use a random number generator to determine the numbers. Each number should come up on average once every 80 times any number is drawn in an infinite number of draws.

Online keno strategie - play same number

Strategy 2 – Play the Same Numbers All the Time

  • Playing the same numbers all the time is also a popular strategy for Lotto games
  • Choose your favourite numbers and play them every time
  • You can even combine this strategy with looking for patterns to help choose the numbers to pick

The theory is that each number and number combination has the same chance of being drawn. By not changing numbers when you lose, you have a better chance that the numbers or number varieties will come up in the next game. The strategy means that you can be organized and disciplined after choosing the numbers and combinations you feel give you the best chance to win.

Most Popular Types of Online Keno Game

Keno is an easy game to play and understand that doesn’t have many variations. The number of cards that you can play at any time differs, and other games have a progressive jackpot or extra features to win. We’ll explain the main differences here.

Online keno single-card keno type

Single-card keno

  • You choose one set of numbers to play for each game
  • Single-card games are excellent for beginners as the game is easier to follow with only one card
  • If your strategy is to always bet on your original numbers, this is also a great option
  • The game’s pace is slower than a multi-card version
  • You place lower wagers on each game but only have one chance to win
Online keno multi-card type

Multi-card keno

  • Multi-card keno gives players a chance to win on multiple tickets
  • You can typically select up to seven cards
  • You’ll need to track all the cards you select to play
  • You can select up to 15 numbers per card
  • The game pace is faster than with single-card versions
  • You’ll place a higher wager for each game but have more chances of winning
Online keno progressive jackpot type

Progressive jackpot keno

  • The tempting jackpot makes this version very popular among gamblers
  • A portion of each ticket contributes to the progressive jackpot
  • You’ll only win the total jackpot if you place a maximum wager
  • If you win the jackpot on a smaller bet, you’ll be paid out a percentage of the jackpot amount
  • The game rules remain the same as for standard keno
  • Once the jackpot is won, the amount is reset to the casino’s seed amount and starts growing with each purchased ticket
Power keno online type

Power keno

  • The rules of power keno remain similar to standard keno rules
  • You can select between two and ten numbers on each ticket
  • You can play a multi-card version with up to seven cards
  • You win if a certain number of your selections are drawn
  • Your winnings quadruple if you catch either the first or the last number drawn
  • Power Keno is an exciting and fun version of the standard game

How to Start Playing Online Keno for Real Money?

  1. Choose a Casino from Our List

    Choose one of the reliable, licensed casinos from our list to ensure that you can play safely. You’ll need to register before playing online for real money.

  2. Choose an Excellent Welcome Bonus

    Pick the casino that has the best welcome bonus that suits you and boosts your gambling bankroll.

  3. Make a Deposit

    Check the different deposit and withdrawal methods available and use the most convenient one to make a deposit after you’ve registered at the casino.

  4. Choose the Game and Get Your Cards

    Choose keno from the casino’s games library, choose your numbers and start playing.

  5. Take a Win!

    The casino will add any money that you win to your balance immediately. You can cash out whenever you like and leave the money in your casino balance or withdraw it to your bank.

A few Tips for Keno Players

  • Choose Casinos and Games with Best Payouts

    Choose Casinos and Games with Best Payouts

    The internet hosts a wide variety of casinos, each one with its features. Some offer incredible welcome bonuses and promise high rates of payouts (RTP). When looking for a casino to play Keno on, choose wisely.

  • Use Free Play Option to Test the Game

    Use Free Play Option to Test the Game

    The worst experience one can have in online Keno for money is placing your deposit and then realising later that you don’t like the game. Always utilise the online free Keno play options before you engage.

  • Select 4 to 8 numbers

    Select 4 to 8 numbers

    When you choose less than four numbers, the probability that you will win is very low. If you select more than eight numbers, you will have to get more than four digits in the draw before you see any profits. The idea is to increase your chances. If the winnings are small, it’s okay, just as long as they’re consistent.

  • Start Small

    Start Small

    The rule of thumb with playing any new game is to start small. Even if you have familiarised yourself with the Keno games free test versions, online gameplay is influenced by the money riding on the outcome.

  • Manage your bankroll

    Manage your bankroll

    Unlike popular belief, managing your bankroll is not only about knowing when to stop depositing money into a game but also knowing when to cash out. It’s not unheard of that a win translates into a loss.

  • Use Online Keno Bonuses

    Use Online Keno Bonuses

    Use the Keno bonuses awarded to you. The latter is there to bolster your chances of winning. Some allocated prizes have a use-by date. It would be a travesty to allow any bonus to expire without using it.

FAQ

Is Keno Difficult?

Keno is one of the simplest available games to play both online and at brick-and-mortar establishments. You simply pick your numbers and compare them with the draw.

Is it available Online?

Due to improving online casino technology, it is common practice to play Keno online, this is made possible by its wide availability.

Is Keno a Card Game

Keno is closer to bingo or a lottery system. The player selects their numbers and compares them to what comes out in the draw. The easiest way to understand the game is to play free online Keno.