What Is Keno?

A lottery-style numbers game played in casinos and online. Simple rules, random draws, variable payouts.

Hero: Standard keno board showing 1–80 spots. Players select numbers, then 20 are drawn.

Overview

Keno is a numbers game with roots in ancient China. It spread worldwide through lotteries and gambling houses and is now a fixture in casinos and online platforms. The concept is simple: players pick numbers—called “spots”—from 1 through 80. Then, 20 numbers are drawn at random. Payouts depend on how many chosen spots match the drawn numbers.

Keno’s simplicity is its appeal. No skill or strategy can change the odds of the draw. The excitement comes from anticipation: watching the numbers appear and hoping enough align with your picks. Some variants add multipliers or free games, but the core game remains a straightforward test of chance.

Flowchart showing pick → draw → match → payout — Figure 1. Flow of keno: pick spots, draw 20 numbers, count matches, resolve payouts.

Basic Rules

Numbers: Pool of 1–80.
Spots: Player selects 1–20 spots (most casinos limit to 2–10).
Draws: 20 numbers drawn by RNG or ball machine.
Payouts: Based on how many picks match the drawn numbers. Higher hits yield larger returns.

While rules are fixed, paytables vary. A 4-spot game may pay 75× for hitting all 4, while a 10-spot may pay thousands of times your bet. Casinos design paytables to balance entertainment value with house edge. Simulation tools let you test different tables and see how they behave over time.

Illustration of keno rules showing board, player picks, and 20 drawn numbers — Figure 2. Basic rules: pick numbers, watch the draw, count matches.

Formats of Play

Live Keno

Tickets are purchased at casino lounges. Players mark numbers, then wait for scheduled draws announced on screens. Live keno emphasizes social experience and slower pacing.

Video Keno

Found on casino floors, video keno machines resemble slot machines. Players pick numbers on a touchscreen, and an RNG resolves the draw instantly. Fast pacing suits players who prefer rapid sessions.

Online Keno

Browser and mobile apps simulate draws digitally. Online keno often includes themed variants, bonuses, and leaderboards. RNG systems are certified for fairness but mimic the same 80/20 structure.

Keno vs. Other Games

Keno shares features with lotteries, slots, and bingo but differs in speed, payout structure, and design.

Lottery: Similar draw concept, but fewer games per day and larger jackpots.
Slots: RNG-based like keno, but outcomes are represented as reels and symbols instead of numbers.
Bingo: Numbers are drawn and matched, but on pre-printed cards where multiple players compete simultaneously.

Venn diagram comparing keno, slots, lottery, and bingo — Figure 4. Comparison across games: overlapping features and differences.

Key Points

Every draw is independent and random. There are no “due numbers.”
House edge varies by paytable and variant, typically 5–15%.
Keno is designed for entertainment, not profit. Expectation is negative EV over time.

Summary

Keno is a fast, simple, lottery-style game. Players pick numbers, watch 20 drawn, and hope for matches. Variants add excitement through bonuses, but the backbone remains the same. It is a game of entertainment and probability, not skill or strategy. Understanding its rules and comparisons to other games helps players set expectations and enjoy responsibly.

Next Steps

Continue to History of Keno to learn where the game originated, or explore How Keno Works for mechanics and payout details.