Keno

Keno is a simple and fun game that resembles a lottery in many ways. The game is fast and comes with jackpots attached in some casinos, adding to its lure and popularity. You pick a set of numbers and then hope that they match the numbers the casino calls out. You find this cool casino game - one of the oldest - at a large number of online casinos commonly in the ‘Other Games’ or ‘Specialty Games’ section.

Keno has a significantly higher house edge than most other online casino games. It is anywhere between 25% and 30% at land-based casinos and up to 12% at top online casinos. Despite the high house edge, this game is popular because it gives high returns on even low bets. Before we learn more about this exciting casino game we take a look at the history of the game.

The Best Keno Casinos For UK Players

One thing about keno you should understand - there are no standardized pay tables, unlike in most other online casino games. Where you play the game has a significant impact on the odds of winning. That is why we have listed for you the top casinos offering keno in the UK.

Lucky Creek Casino

Lucky Creek Casino

Players Allowed
70Free SpinsNo Deposit Required
Code: ND70WELL
Slotastic Casino

Slotastic Casino

Players Allowed
$25 No Deposit Bonus
Code: NDK25FREE
All British Casino

All British Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$100+ 100 Free Spins
18+, T&C's Apply
Arcade Spins Casino

Arcade Spins Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$10+ 25 Free Spins
Code: PLAY25
Betfred Casino

Betfred Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$200
18+, T&C's Apply
Casilando Casino

Casilando Casino

Players Not Allowed
10Free SpinsNo Deposit Required
Casino Euro

Casino Euro

Players Not Allowed
150% up to$300
18+, T&C's Apply
Diamond 7 Casino

Diamond 7 Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$500+ 25 Free Spins
18+, T&C's Apply
Genting Casino

Genting Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$1000
Code: PIYWVIP
18+, T&C's Apply
Hello Casino

Hello Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$500+ 25 Free Spins
Island Jackpots Casino

Island Jackpots Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$10+ 10 Free Spins
Code: JACKPOT
JackpotCity Casino

JackpotCity Casino

Players Not Allowed
50Free SpinsNo Deposit Required
Luxury Casino

Luxury Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$1000
18+, T&C's Apply
Miami Dice Casino

Miami Dice Casino

Players Not Allowed
200% up to$3500+ 50 Free Spins
MoneyGaming Casino

MoneyGaming Casino

Players Not Allowed
$0
18+, T&C's Apply
Playgrand Casino

Playgrand Casino

Players Not Allowed
50Free SpinsNo Deposit Required
Reef Club Casino

Reef Club Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$300
18+, T&C's Apply
Royal Vegas Casino

Royal Vegas Casino

Players Not Allowed
60Free SpinsNo Deposit Required
Ruby Fortune Casino

Ruby Fortune Casino

Players Not Allowed
50Free SpinsNo Deposit Required
Slot Planet Casino

Slot Planet Casino

Players Not Allowed
10% up to$222+ 22 Free Spins
Slots Angel Casino

Slots Angel Casino

Players Not Allowed
25Free SpinsOn Depositing
Code: PLAY25
Spin Station Casino

Spin Station Casino

Players Not Allowed
200% up to$3000+ 20 Free Spins
UK Casino Club

UK Casino Club

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$700
18+, T&C's Apply
Betway Casino

Betway Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to$1000
Coral Casino

Coral Casino

Players Not Allowed
$50
18+, T&C's Apply
666 Casino

666 Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to£1998+ 66 Free Spins
Casimba Casino

Casimba Casino

Players Not Allowed
200% up to€2000+ 50 Free Spins
Gate 777 Casino

Gate 777 Casino

Players Not Allowed
200% up to€1000+ 25 Free Spins
18+, T&C's Apply
Kaiser Slots Casino

Kaiser Slots Casino

Players Not Allowed
200% up to£30+ 30 Free Spins
Code: 200SLOTS
MyBet Casino

MyBet Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to£500
18+, T&C's Apply
Playzee Casino

Playzee Casino

Players Not Allowed
20Free SpinsNo Deposit Required
Spin Rider Casino

Spin Rider Casino

Players Not Allowed
200% up to€4500+ 50 Free Spins
Spinland Casino

Spinland Casino

Players Not Allowed
200% up to€800+ 50 Free Spins
TitanBet Casino

TitanBet Casino

Players Not Allowed
50% up to€5000
Zinger Spins Casino

Zinger Spins Casino

Players Not Allowed
100% up to£10+ 10 Free Spins
Code: ZINGER

Brief History

Keno is probably one of the oldest gambling games to feature at online casinos today. The origin of the game goes back to over 3000 years in China, almost 200 years before the New Age. The person credited with its origin is Cheung Leung, the ruler of the Han Dynasty. The game was devised as a way of making commoners contribute to the state coffers without raising the spectre of tax riots. It also gave the peasants something to keep their mind off the high tax regime and the grim conditions prevailing because of decades of war.

Keno remained within China for more than 2000 years. Only when trade between China and the USA started in the 19th century did the game make its way out to the world. While there is no confirmation on how exactly the game reached the USA, common belief is that it was brought to the USA by migrant workers and crew on trading ships from China.

When gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931 Keno, then called Chinese Lottery, did not make initially it to the casinos as lotteries were still considered illegal. Casino operators attached a horseracing theme to the game, since horseracing was legal and introduced it to people. That is why a keno game is called a race. Today, keno is a popular game at many land-based casinos and the Internet helped spread its popularity further through online casinos.

Keno Basics: Common Terminology

Knowing the game is great but it works even better when you are aware of the terms commonly used and what they mean. The following is a list of commonly used terms in keno.

Term Definition
Aggregate Limit It is the total amount that a casino is liable to pay out in a single keno game.
All or Nothing This is a type of keno ticket that pays out in only one of the following 2 instances:
  • All the numbers you picked are drawn.
  • None of the numbers you picked are drawn.
Blank Ticket This is an unused keno ticket.
Caller A land-based keno term that refers to the casino employee calling out the numbers as they are drawn.
Catch This is a marked number on a keno ticket that is called during a game.
Catch-All A keno game that pays out only if all the numbers you picked are called.
Catch-Zero A keno game that pays out only if none of the numbers you picked are called.
Combination Ticket A keno ticket made up of several different bets.
Computer Ticket A computer-generated keno ticket.
Deuce Two keno spots grouped together.
Draw This term refers to the numbers drawn during a game of keno. The draw is usually between 10 and 15 numbers in online keno and typically 20 numbers in land-based keno.
Draw Sheet Found in land-based casinos, this is a sheet with holes punched on number drawn in previous rounds to make checking the ticket for the current round easier.
Exacta Ticket This is a ticket that is played for two games and has a unique payoff rate.
Flashboard This is the electronic board that displays the winning numbers in a land-based casino.
Free Play A keno win that does not pay out; it lets you to play your bet again the next round.
High End Ticket A keno ticket that pays more if you catch a high number of spots and less (or nothing) if you catch fewer spots.
Hit A term you use when one of your numbers is drawn in a game of keno.
House Edge The winning edge that the casino enjoys over the player. It is expressed as a percentage value and represents how much the casino - referred to as the house - is expected to win in the long run. In online casinos this is usually below 12%, while in land-based casinos it can be as high as 20-30%.
King A single number that is circled on a keno ticket and which works with other numbers to make a bet.
King Ticket This is a ticket containing one or more kings.
Left-Right Ticket This is a keno ticket that is marked vertically down the center. The objective is to catch numbers in only one half of the ticket.
Outside Ticket The official ticket that is given to the player as receipt for their hand-marked ticket and bet.
Quick Pick A computer-generated keno ticket.
Race The term used for a keno game. This name comes from the time when casino operators introduced keno with a horseracing theme, since the lottery was still illegal, in Nevada. Each number on a ticket represented a horse in a race.
Runner He is the casino employee who collects keno tickets from players who are sitting in different areas of the casino and also pays out the winners.
Straight Ticket This is a standard keno ticket.
Split Ticket A keno ticket with more than one set of numbers that are played separately.
Top-Bottom Ticket A keno ticket that is marked horizontally across the center to catch numbers in only one half of the ticket.
Way This term refers to each separate bet placed on a keno ticket that contains more than one bet.

Similarities between Keno and Bingo

Keno and bingo are 2 separate games, but there are similarities as well:

  • They fit perfectly into the casual gaming segment of casino gambling and also social gaming in general.
  • They both are based on the same principles that govern lotteries. Players draw numbers and the casino calls out its own set of numbers, all at random.
  • You get paid based on the number of hits. The difference is in bingo the first person to get all the numbers called out wins.
  • In the land-based versions, both the games use a similar device to generate and announce the numbers. A blower inside the device spins the ball and it pops out through a tube.

Basic Keno Strategy

Keno is a game of chance and strategy really does not have anything much to do with the game, unlike in games like blackjack or even poker. There are a few things that you can do right to ensure you minimise your losses and increase the chances of winning.

Some Keno FAQs

Here we list a few commonly asked questions relating to keno.

How does the keno draw work?

You have to pick up to 20 numbers from the 80 shown on your keno card (10-15 numbers if you are at an online casino). A total of 20 numbers are then drawn out of the 80 numbers available. The numbers you picked are matched with the numbers drawn and you win or lose depending on how many of them match.

Am I allowed to play multiple games at the same time?

Yes you have the option of playing multiple games at the same time. If you are an online casino, all you have to do is click on the buttons for multiple draws. You can usually play 5 or 10 draws consecutively by clicking any of these buttons.

How do I win the maximum payout in an online keno game?

You win the maximum payout if all the numbers you picked match the numbers that the casino drew. Also, it depends on the amount you are wagering; playing the max bet will give you the absolute maximum payout provided all the numbers match.

Can I cancel my bet while playing keno?

Canceling a bet is not possible in keno once you have confirmed it.

Who or what is a keno runner?

A keno runner is someone you find at land-based casinos only. They are present to help you play keno regardless of where you are at the casino. They do this by bringing blank tickets, crayons and also spare change to enable you to quickly fill out a ticket, make the payment and give it to the runner. Should you win, the runner brings your tickets and winnings to you. At an online casino the runner is not necessary.