How to play keno on a slot machine

Keno is a fast-paced, lottery-style game of chance that shares similarities with bingo and is widely available at real money online casinos.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to play keno, understand the basic rules, how to set up a game, and where you can enjoy keno online. We’ll also share useful tips to improve your odds and boost your enjoyment.

If you had to choose the most underrated casino game, keno might just take the crown. While often overlooked, it’s quickly gaining popularity among casual and seasoned casino players alike.

✅ Why Keno Is Worth a Try:

• Simple to Learn: Keno is one of the easiest casino games to understand—no complicated strategies, just pick your numbers and play.
  
  
• Flexible Betting Options: Whether you’re playing with a small budget or ready to go big, keno offers wide betting ranges to fit any bankroll.
  
  
• Low Pressure, High Fun: Unlike games like blackjack or poker, keno doesn’t require you to make quick decisions or outsmart opponents. It’s all about luck and excitement.
  
  

Whether you're a newcomer to online casinos or looking for a relaxed game with real-money potential, keno delivers an enjoyable gaming experience with minimal effort.

🎰 What Is Keno and How Does It Work?

Keno is a classic casino game of chance where players choose a set of numbers from a pool—typically ranging from 1 to 80, much like a lottery or bingo card. You can usually select anywhere from 1 to 10 numbers, depending on the version of keno you're playing.

Once your numbers are locked in, 20 random numbers are drawn by the casino, either through a traditional ball machine (like in a lottery) or—when playing online—via a Random Number Generator (RNG). Your payout depends on how many of your selected numbers match those drawn by the game.

The more matches you get, the higher your winnings. Here's a quick breakdown:

• ✔️ Pick more numbers = More chances to win
  
  
• ✔️ More matches = Higher payouts
  
  
• ✔️ Every keno game has its own paytable, so check it first!
  
  

💡 How Online Keno Works: When you play keno online for real money, the core gameplay remains the same—choose your numbers and wait for the draw. The difference is that online casinos use RNG software to simulate the draw, ensuring fairness and complete randomness.

Each online platform may vary slightly in its design, payout structure, and additional features (like turbo mode, bonus rounds, or autoplay), so it's smart to get familiar with each game's specific rules before placing real bets.

🧾 Keno Payout Tip:
Keno payouts aren't fixed and can differ based on the number of spots you select and the specific rules of the casino you're playing at. Always review the paytable to understand your potential winnings based on your chosen numbers.

🌐 Online Keno Games: Where Style Meets Simplicity

One of the biggest perks of playing keno online is the variety of options available. While the basic rules remain the same, different online casinos feature their own unique themes, betting limits, and payout structures, making each platform feel fresh and engaging.

💡 Know Before You Play:
Before diving into real money wagers, it's always a smart move to review the rules and odds of each keno variant on a specific platform. Payouts and betting limits can vary, and understanding these details can help you choose the game that fits your budget and playing style.

🎨 Themed Keno Variations That Keep Things Fun

Modern online casinos often incorporate creative visuals and fun animations to make keno more exciting. Here are a couple of examples of themed keno games you might encounter:

• 🐒 Monkey Keno:
  Instead of traditional number draws, animated monkeys toss numbered coconuts onto a board. It’s quirky, light-hearted, and a great break from standard gameplay.
  
  
• 🔬 KenoLab:
  Set in a virtual chemistry lab, KenoLab transforms the game into a scientific experiment, showing winning combinations, payout charts, and number selections with fun lab-inspired graphics.
  
  

No matter which version you choose, the core concept stays the same—pick your numbers, match the draw, and win payouts based on how many hits you get.

🎯 Why Try Online Keno?
If you enjoy games of chance like slots, roulette, or bingo, then keno is a natural fit. It combines the simplicity of number-picking with the thrill of random draws, all wrapped in engaging visuals that make every round feel unique.

🎲 Understanding Keno Odds: What Are Your Chances?

When it comes to playing keno online, understanding the odds is just as important as knowing the rules. Keno is a game of chance, and the odds are based on how many numbers you choose and how many of those match the numbers drawn by the game.

🔢 How Keno Odds Work

In a typical keno game, 20 numbers are drawn from a pool of 80. As a player, you can pick anywhere from 1 to 10 numbers, depending on the game rules. While it may seem logical that choosing more numbers increases your odds, it actually introduces a trade-off:

• 📈 More numbers = Higher chance of matching some
  
  
• 📉 More numbers = Lower payout per match
  
  

This means you can play safer with fewer numbers and higher payouts, or increase your odds with more picks but win smaller amounts—unless you hit most or all of your numbers.

📊 Sample Keno Odds Table

🎯 Numbers Picked	🎰 Drawn Numbers	🧮 Odds of Matching All
1	20	1 in 4
2	20	1 in 17
3	20	1 in 73
4	20	1 in 327
5	20	1 in 1,551
6	20	1 in 7,753
7	20	1 in 40,980
8	20	1 in 230,115
9	20	1 in 1,380,688
10	20	1 in 8,911,712

💡 Key Takeaway:
The more numbers you pick, the harder it becomes to match all of them—but even matching a few can still earn you a payout, depending on the keno paytable.

🎯 Multiplier Features Can Boost Wins

Some modern online keno games also feature multiplier bonuses, which can dramatically increase your winnings if triggered. These may appear during the draw or through special symbols and vary from one casino to another.

📝 Pro Tip:
Always check the paytable and bonus features before you start a new keno game. It helps you understand exactly what to expect in terms of payouts, odds, and potential multipliers.

 

💸 Payouts in Online Keno: What Can You Win?

Once all keno players have selected their numbers and submitted their tickets, 20 numbers are drawn at random—either by a physical machine or a Random Number Generator (RNG) in online versions. After the draw, your selected numbers (called "spots") are compared against the results.

🎯 How Keno Payouts Work

Your payout in online keno depends on two main factors:

1. ✅ How many of your chosen numbers (spots) match the drawn numbers
   
   
2. 💵 The amount you wagered on the game
   
   

Naturally, the more numbers you match, the higher your reward. However, exact payouts vary depending on the keno platform or specific game version, so always check the paytable before you play.

📊 Example of Keno Payout Structure

(For illustrative purposes only—actual payouts may differ by online casino or game provider)

🔢 Numbers Matched	💰 Estimated Payout
1	$4
2	$10
3	$30
4	$100
5	$500
6	$2,500
7	$10,000
8	$50,000
9	$250,000
10	$1,000,000

📝 Pro Tip:
While hitting all 10 numbers can lead to a jackpot-style prize, even matching a few can result in decent returns—especially if you placed a larger bet. That said, never wager more than you're comfortable losing, as keno remains a game of chance.

How To Play Keno & How Does Keno Work FAQs

❓ What is Keno?
Keno is a chance-based casino game that resembles a lottery or bingo. Players select a set of numbers—typically between 1 and 80—and once all bets are placed, the game randomly draws 20 numbers. These are selected using either a mechanical ball machine or a digital RNG (Random Number Generator). The more your picks match the drawn numbers, the bigger your payout, which also depends on your bet size.

❓ How do you play Keno?
To play Keno, choose a certain quantity of numbers from a grid of 1 to 80. Once you've made your selection and placed your wager, the game randomly draws 20 numbers. Your winnings are based on how many of your picks match the drawn results.

❓ How many numbers can I choose in Keno?
In most Keno games, you can select anywhere from 1 to 10 or even up to 15 numbers, depending on the casino or specific game variation.

❓ How is Keno betting done?
You place your bet by selecting numbers and deciding how much you want to wager. Payouts are determined by how many of your selected numbers match the numbers drawn and the amount of your wager.

❓ Are there different versions of Keno?
Yes, many casinos and online platforms offer several Keno variations, each with unique layouts, payout tables, and even bonus features. It’s important to check the rules of the version you're playing to understand its specific mechanics.

❓ Can you win at Keno?
Absolutely. If your selected numbers match the randomly drawn ones, you win. However, as with any game of chance, outcomes are unpredictable and rely entirely on luck.

❓ What is the house edge in Keno?
The house edge in Keno can differ greatly depending on the platform. Generally, it ranges between 5% and 40%. Online Keno games may have a higher edge than some land-based versions.

❓ How much can you win at Keno?
Your total payout in Keno is based on several factors: how many numbers you picked, how many matched, and how much you bet. The more numbers you hit correctly, the larger your reward—especially if you’ve placed a higher wager.

❓ Is Keno skill or luck?
Keno is primarily a game of luck. While you can decide how many numbers to play and how much to bet, the outcome is governed by random number selection, meaning there’s no skill-based strategy to influence the results.

❓ Why is the game called Keno?
The game has roots tracing back to ancient China. Its name evolved over time as it spread globally—from Chinese terms like pak-ah-pu to French-Latin hybrids, before being Anglicized in the U.S. into the word “Keno.”

❓ Can Keno be played online?
Yes, you can easily play Keno at many licensed online casinos. These platforms offer a digital version of the traditional game, often enhanced with animations and different betting ranges to suit all types of players.

❓ How can I find free online Keno games?
Numerous gaming sites and online casinos offer free versions of Keno. These demo modes are perfect for beginners looking to practice without risking real money. Be sure to explore our list of recommended sites with free online games to get started.