Play keno at the best US online casinos
Play keno online for real money at the best US online casinos in 2024. Learn how to play keno online with our free games and expert tips, or sign up to a top USA keno casino to for valuable bonuses and real money play.
Our top rated real money keno casinos 2024
Play online keno for free
You can play free keno online right here with no sign up or download needed. Our free casino games are a great option if you’d like to see exactly how the game works and test your numbers before you play keno online for real money. Just click on the free online keno games below.
How to play keno online
Online keno for real money essentially allows you to play the lottery on demand. Draw games either start whenever you submit your numbers, or else you can join keno live games that start at regular intervals, usually every 3 to 5 minutes.
For detailed rules and strategies, check out our full guide on how to play keno online. For now, here's a quick overview on how to play:
- 1Select an online keno real money game: Start by exploring the variety of keno games at our top US online casinos.
- 2Choose your numbers: Most keno games allow you to select 1 to 20 numbers from the grid. How many you choose is completely up to you. Your choice determines your potential payout; catching more numbers results in a higher payout rate.
- 3Set your bet: Adjust your bet by using the arrows next to your chosen bet amount.
- 4Select the number of games: Decide how many keno games you want to play. For example, betting $1 on 5 games will cost $5.
- 5Watch the draw: See if you're a winner as the system draws numbers, marking them with Xs or checkmarks. Your payout is based on the number of correct guesses.
Getting to know the game
As you get familiar with the gameplay, there are some key elements to keno casino games to be aware of. A typical online keno game consists of a keno card, a pay table, and a few buttons. While every online keno game is a bit different, these are the common elements you’ll find when you choose to play online.
- Keno card: A keno card is essentially a giant grid of numbers. You can think of it as a large lottery ticket with the numbers one through 80. In typical online keno games, you’ll find eight rows of ten numbers each.
- Pay table: This shows you what your payout will be for the number of catches you make. In a keno online game, you don’t necessarily get paid out for hitting more numbers. Instead, you get paid out if the percentage of numbers you hit is high. For example, catching six of six selected numbers might net you a payout of 1800x your bet, but catching six of 14 numbers selected might only net you 2x your bet.
- Quick pick: Rather than selecting the numbers on your own, in keno games online you can choose the "Quick Pick" button to have the system pick them for you. This is much like the quick pick feature found in most state lotteries.
Keno rules
Even though keno is a simple game to understand, it's always worth brushing up on the rules. We suggest you keep the following key elements of the game in mind when you play online keno for real money.
- The keno board has 80 numbers, but you can’t choose all of them. How many numbers you can choose depends on the casino you’re playing at, but the total number is usually between 15 and 20.
- While some US online casinos will let you play as few as one number, some real money casinos will require you to play at least two numbers.
- If you’re playing real money keno in a land-based casino, you need to wait for a keno game to start before you can see what your payout is. When playing keno online, you’re more in control of when each game starts.
How to win at online keno
Keno is a game of chance, and outcomes are random. You simply enjoy the game and hope luck is on your side. While no strategy can guarantee a win, you can still employ these general betting tactics to manage your real money keno experience:
- 1Begin with minimum bets: Initiate your play with the lowest possible bet, which varies depending on the game.
- 2Adjust bets with wins: If you happen to win a game, consider slightly increasing your bet while staying within your comfort zone.
- 3Decrease bets after losses: After a loss, revert to the minimum bet and restart the sequence.
Popular types of keno games
The top online keno games most commonly played are standard online keno, power keno, and live keno. These don’t deviate too far from the game you’d find in a physical casino, though some variants will have differences around prizes and the number of balls/spots picked by the player and drawn in the game. We’ve noted some of the most common varieties below.
- Online keno
- Super keno
- Power keno
- Video keno
- Jackpot keno
- Live dealer keno
Online keno
The standard online version plays as fast as the player can go - once they either pick or request a randomised set of numbers, the draw is done automatically by the game software. Rules are as standard, so generally a player wins if they match between two and ten numbers from the 20 drawn. The more numbers matched, the bigger the win amount.
Keno payout percentages explained
Keno payouts aren’t as high as those of regular online casino games, though the amount of draw numbers and your bet type will affect this greatly. Typically a good online casino will have an overall keno payout percentage between 93.8% and 94.1%. The actual percentage depends on the amount of numbers you play, and this example figure represents the better paying combinations. For example, matching only two numbers pays out 92% and one number just 75%.
The payout percentage is what a casino pays out in winnings as a proportion of the money wagered. A 98% payout percentage means that the casino pays out $98 on every $100 made in wagers. The casino's profit comes from the $2 difference.
Note that the 98% is not what you will get back on any individual bet. This is because it's an overall figure for the casino, taken from thousands of players and across many months. As a general rule, though, it's a good idea to choose a casino site offering high keno payouts.
How does keno house edge compare?
Keno lottery games have more to do with lotto draws than a typical casino type game, and so the odds and house edge reflect the lower chance of winning lottery players have in general compared to casino games. While card and table games tend to have a house edge between 0.5% - 2.7% (though unfavourable variants can go up to 15%), the house edge for standard keno is on average between 20% - 40%. Saying that, some online keno variants bring the house edge down to around 5%.
The odds of any one number being drawn in the winning 20 are one in four, and then the number of spots (numbers) you pick and the number of spots drawn will affect the odds and house edge. Standard online keno games allow you to pick up to 15 numbers for a full win, but many keno casinos will have games with prizes for matching fewer spots. Generally, you’ll see around a 25% house edge on a one spot win, rising up to around 30% on a ten spot win.
🔢 Standard online keno payout | 93.8% - 94.1% |
2️⃣ Matching two numbers | 92% |
1️⃣ Matching one number | 75% |
🏢 House edge for standard keno | 20% - 40% |
Tips to boost your keno odds
Keno is a game of chance with little possibility of influencing the odds, but that doesn't mean you can't take steps to ensure you get the most out of every game, especially if you play keno for real money. Below, we've listed our four top tips for staying on top of your online keno game.
Play a consistent set of numbers
Sticking to the same numbers helps you track their frequency without any pressure to win. It also adds a personal touch to your keno experience.
Check the payout chart before you play
Always review the payout chart to understand potential returns based on your chosen numbers. This knowledge empowers you to make informed betting decisions.
Take advantage of keno bonuses
Many US casinos offer bonuses which is a great way to boost your bankroll. Keep an eye out for casino bonuses that enhance your online keno real money play.
Use your bankroll wisely
Managing your bankroll ensures you can enjoy online keno without any stress. It's a key strategy for responsible and enjoyable gameplay.
Popular keno software providers
Some of the top keno games providers include Evolution, NetEnt, and Playtech, creating both online keno, live keno games, and other variants with bonuses and winning multipliers. Below we’ve noted the most common casino software makers powering online keno games.
Evolution Gaming
The first to create keno live dealer games, Evolution developed Mega Ball as a keno game presented in a live game show setting. The game also has a multiplier that overs anywhere between 5x and 100x winnings. The company have been in gaming since 2006, and powers thousands of casino and live dealer games in local venues as well as casinos online.
NetEnt
Also a provider of live keno games, Swedish games developer NetEnt created Bonus keno as a type of jackpot keno game connected to a progressive jackpot. Owing to the high jackpots, the game is one of NetEnt’s most popular online keno games. They’ve also made many other online keno variations, as well as being a leading provider of slots and and other table and live casino games.
Playtech
Popular casino gaming provider Playtech has made a widely available keno game using the classic version of online keno. The game is available at many online casinos and provides both online keno for real money and free keno games. It’s a great way to get used to the dynamics of keno play.
Pragmatic Play
Another big name in online casino gaming, Pragmatic Play’s keno game is also a the standard online keno variety. Available for free and real money, the keno game will be available at the top casinos we recommend. Pragmatic have made a name for themselves in recent years for providing high quality casino titles across a range of brands online.
SpinOro
With a range of keno games including Super keno and Keno Star, SpinOro have innovated various new features for online keno. With over 10 years in gaming, they are a popular provider of keno lottery games, scratch games and casino titles.
How we rate US online keno casinos
Every US online casino featured on our site has been through our rigorous 25-step reviewing process. We want to ensure you have the best online gaming experience, so it’s essential that all casinos, including those recommended for online keno, meet our strict criteria to receive a top rating. Should a US casino fail to satisfy any of our key categories, we won't be recommending it to you.
Security and trustworthiness
When it comes to playing real money keno online, security should be of the utmost importance. We want to see that US online casinos hold a valid license to operate, are audited for security and fairness by an organization such as eCOGRA, and use means such as encryption to protect any data you share with them. They will also need a valid gambling licence from their local jurisdiction to run keno casino games online.
Banking options
It's important that a wide range of banking options is available, so that all payments to fund keno games online and withdraw winnings are fast and secure. We don't want to see excessively long processing times, or hear keno players experiencing issues when withdrawing winnings.
Casino game selection
We’d expect to see a great choice of keno games, with common varieties like power keno, jackpot keno, and live keno available. To ensure quality, we look for titles from popular software providers such as NetEnt, Microgaming and Playtech, and test them out playing keno online for real money ourselves.
Casino bonuses
At the best online USA keno casinos, we expect to see a welcome bonus and regular promotions so that players can boost their bankroll when they play keno for real money. Playthrough requirements should be easy to understand and not too high, so all bonus funds are useful and achievable to unlock through your regular play.
Mobile gaming
We expect US keno casinos to offer a good mobile gambling experience. A good mobile gambling experience includes a user-friendly casino app, a wide game selection, secure transactions, and responsive customer support - ensuring seamless play on smartphones and tablets.
Quick history of keno
Out of all the casino games, keno has one of the most interesting origins. Emperors, wars, railroads, and horse races all have their part in how the modern game developed.
-
Beginning in China
The first evidence of keno can be traced to ancient China, where it was played with 120 Chinese characters. Popular during the Han dynasty, ruler Cheung Leung encouraged residents to play in order to collect taxes used to fund the Han dynasty war. Later, keno taxes helped to build the Great Wall of China.
-
Moving to America
In the 1800s, many Chinese people made a rush to the western shores of the United States where they sought to work on the railroads. As they settled in San Francisco they introduced keno to Americans, who found the Chinese characters confusing. This lead to them being replaced with numbers.
-
20th Century
A loophole in the legal system allowed gambling, but not lotteries. As keno was a lottery, operators cleverly changed the name to Racehorse Keno and said it was a racing game, thus making it legal. The numbers of the keno card correlated with horses and the drawing was called the ‘race’. Some casinos use this term even today.
-
Today
With the digital age rapidly taking over the world of gambling, keno lives on as a popular online lottery game. The best US casinos online boast incredible keno games that could very well impress Emperor Cheung Leung himself.
Keno terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Aggregate limit | The total amount a casino is liable to payout in a single round. If reached, players may have to accept reduced winnings. For a game like keno where the total payouts could become insanely high, this is a necessary feature for the casino to include. |
Balls | Ping pong balls labeled with the numbers from one to 80. Drawn at random to determine the winners of any given Keno round. |
Bankroll | A player's available sum of money for use in Keno. |
Bet | The total amount of money wagered by a player in a single round of keno, on a single ticket. |
Caller | The casino employee that literally calls out the winning numbers during a Keno game. |
Closed | The time right before keno balls are drawn. No casino tickets can be written while the game is closed. |
Draw | The panel of twenty keno balls that are "drawn" in any given round. This displays the winning numbers. |
Field | A collection of unmarked, circled spots. |
Flashboard | The digital display that shows which numbers make up the draw. |
Goose | A slang term for the device used to mix up and, ultimately draw, the keno balls. |
Hit | A slang term for a winning spot, achieved when one of your spots matches a number in the round's draw. |
House | A slang term for the casino. |
House edge | The percentage of any given wager that the casino is statistically expected to retain over the long run. A high house edge is bad for players but good for the casino. Keno has a house edge of approximately 30%, which makes it higher than average. |
Mark | Appears on a keno ticket as a way to show which numbers are spots. Often made with a black crayon provided by the casino specifically for this purpose. |
Open | The opposite of closed. Any point in time when the casino is accepting more keno wagers for the coming draw. |
Pay table | The diagram that explains exactly how much any given win is worth. |
Punch outs | A template offered by the house. A punch out matches your original keno ticket, but all of the numbers from the draw are punched out. This makes it significantly easier for players to quickly check for winning tickets. Just lay it over your ticket and see which of the spots show through the holes. |
Random Number Generator | A mechanism in video keno games used to randomly create the draw. A completely fair and unpredictable tool for operating a keno game, as well as other casino games. |
Spot | A slang term for any of the numbers that have been marked on a keno ticket. |
Ticket | The piece of paper that players use to make their keno wagers. It has a grid with numbers one to 80, and players can mark their spots and choose their bet size on this document. A copy should be given to the player after the wager is made. |
Tournament | A series of keno games are offered and players compete to outperform each other and win the overall prize money. One of the best ways to shake your game up, because a keno tournament has a totally different feel and pace. |
Way ticket | Any keno ticket that contains two or more distinct bets. |
Writer | A casino employee that interacts with the keno players. Responsibilities include accepting completed keno tickets, creating the official digital ticket, accepting the money for all wagers, and paying any players with winning tickets. |
Online keno FAQs
What is keno?
Keno is a lottery-style game where players select numbers from a grid, usually 1 to 20. Random numbers are drawn, and players win if their chosen numbers match the drawn ones. It's a simple game of chance, often found in US online casinos.
Can I play keno online in the US?
Yes, you can play keno online in the US. The best online USA keno casinos offer keno games for real money and free play. However, availability may vary by state, so check your local gambling regulations.
Is online keno legal in the US?
Yes, online keno is legal in the US but it varies by state. Some states offer legal online keno options, while others do not.
What states can you play keno?
States that offer keno lottery games are Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington.
How old do I have to be to play keno online in the US?
The legal age to play keno online in the US varies by state, as each state sets its own gambling requirements. In most states, the minimum age is either 18 or 21 years old.
Can I play free Keno before wagering real cash?
Yes, you can often play keno for free at many US online casinos before you play keno for real money. It's a great way to practice the game without financial risk.
Is keno a game of strategy or luck?
Keno is a game of luck. The numbers drawn in keno are random, and players have little control over the outcome. While some may employ strategies for number selection or betting patterns, the game is primarily based on chance.
Are online keno games fair?
Yes, online keno games at reputable and licensed US online casinos are fair. They use random number generators (RNGs) to ensure that every number called is by chance.
What are keno’s odds of winning?
The odds of winning depend on the amount of numbers choosen and drawn. The odds of hitting a single number are 1 in 4, whereas hitting four numbers carries a 1 in 326.43 chance of winning.
Are keno winnings taxable?
Yes, keno winnings are generally taxable in the US and you are required to report them on your tax return.
Can I play online keno on my mobile or tablet?
Yes, you can play online keno on your mobile or tablet. The best online USA keno casinos offer mobile-friendly versions of keno games, allowing you to enjoy them on your smartphone or tablet.
More US casino guides for you
Written by Alexander Korsager
Alexander Korsager has been immersed in online casinos and iGaming for over 10 years, making him a dynamic Chief Gaming Officer at Casino.org. He uses his vast knowledge of the industry to create content across key global markets.
