Electronic Games

Keno

Keno is a lottery-style casino game in which players select numbers from a pool of 80, then 20 numbers are drawn randomly; winnings depend on how many of the player's selections match the draw. The game traces its origins to ancient China — legend attributes its invention to Cheung Leung of the Han Dynasty, who used a number game to raise funds for the Great Wall. Keno was brought to America in the 19th century by Chinese immigrants and became a fixture in Nevada casinos. The house edge on Keno ranges from 20% to 35%, far higher than table games, but the game offers life-changing jackpot potential on modest bets and requires no skill or experience to play.

Rules & Gameplay

Players select between 1 and 20 numbers ('spots') on a Keno ticket, from a pool of numbers 1–80. The player wagers a fixed amount per ticket. 20 numbers are drawn randomly (by ball machine or RNG). Payouts depend on the number of matches between the player's picks and the draw — called 'catches.' Payouts vary enormously between casinos and by the number of spots selected; typical examples: picking 5 spots and catching 5 = 100:1 to 810:1 depending on casino; picking 10 spots and catching all 10 = 10,000:1 to 100,000:1. The more spots selected, the more difficult to catch all of them but the higher the maximum payout. Many casinos offer multi-race Keno (playing the same ticket across multiple consecutive draws). Video Keno machines in electronic format are the most common modern form.

Basic Strategy

Keno is a pure luck game — no strategy affects the outcome. The only meaningful decision is bankroll management. The house edge (20–35%) means Keno is best treated as entertainment spending rather than a winning proposition. If playing for entertainment value, selecting fewer spots (4–6) tends to provide more frequent small wins than selecting many spots where all-or-nothing outcomes predominate. Avoid Keno in casino table games areas where faster play rates accelerate bankroll depletion. Video Keno machines typically offer better return-to-player percentages than paper ticket Keno due to lower overhead. Set a maximum session budget and accept that the game's appeal is the simplicity and lottery-like excitement, not profitability.

At a Glance

Category: Electronic Games
Sections: Rules + Strategy

All Game Guides →Casino Glossary100+ casino terms explained

Play in Browser

Pick up to 10 numbers

Tap numbers to select

Keno key facts: Pick 1–10 numbers from 1–80. The casino draws 20 at random — more matches mean higher payouts (catch all 10 for $100,000). House edge is ~25–30%, one of the highest in the casino, but stakes are low. Use QP (Quick Pick) for random selection.

More Electronic Games