
Keno online is a game similar to bingo that is quick and entertaining to play. If it’s your first time trying keno, I’ve put together this complete guide that takes you through the game types, features, and plenty more.
I’ll cover the variations you might see, how to play free keno, and what to consider if you want to change over to play keno with real money. I’ll also run through the process of playing the game, since this remains the same for most variants you’ll come across. Let’s begin.
Here’s what I like and don’t like about playing keno online:
Keno is a lot like bingo online, so if you’re a fan of that, you might enjoy some keno too. There are differences though, with the main one being that you can choose which numbers you want to play with in keno. I’ve compiled this guide to help you understand how to play keno online and what to expect if you do.
You can also find different types of keno games to play. Here are some of the more common types you might spot as you look around the online casinos in your region. Depending on what’s available in your region, some of these types of keno may also be available in the banners you can see on this page.
Keno Variant | Description |
---|---|
Themed keno | This version adopts a theme, which could involve anything from mythical Gods to the Wild West |
Progressive jackpot keno | A portion of each bet goes into a jackpot that increases in size until one player wins it |
Super keno | This usually has a smaller house edge, i.e., the amount retained by the casino is smaller, with more proceeds given in prizes to the players |
Traditional keno | This is the original game, played with 80 numbers |
Mini keno | This is a smaller version of the original, with fewer numbers in play |
You may not find the game at every online casino you visit, but many such sites do offer one or more versions of the game. Some casinos have a section reserved for bingo and keno, while others include keno games in a specialty area. This usually covers multiple types of games that don’t slot into any other gaming category.
The available casinos you can play at will depend on where in the world you are. However, the increasing popularity of the game means more casinos than ever before have at least one keno game you can check out. See the banners on this page for casino options that are available in your region.
There are a lot of advantages to starting your Keno journey with some free games. That’s how I learned the game when I was getting started, and I still enjoy some quick free games even now.
Whenever you play a game for the first time, you need to learn the rules. This is particularly true of a specific type of game like keno. I wouldn’t play Pai Gow Poker online, for example, without first trying a free version to figure out what I need to do when playing it, since there are many different types of poker available. The same goes for keno – a demo version allows you to try the game to figure out the rules.
Of course, one big advantage of playing a free keno game or playing the game in demo mode is that you don’t have to bet any money. You’ll be able to play, place bets, and test the game with zero risk to your bankroll.
This is your chance to try mini keno, themed keno, and anything else you like the look of.
Most games display the demo coins in your currency, so you can use the balance within the game to see how you might play keno online with real money. You can also see what the winnings would be if you pick enough correct numbers.
Since signing up for any casino is free, you can test a couple to see whether one has more keno variations than another. It’s a good way to see which platform you would rather continue using.
The rules of keno can change a little from game to game, depending on the format chosen. I’d recommend reading the rules and noting any paytable information provided before you play a game – even when you play keno online free. It’s a bit like delving into the world of video poker – yes, there are lots of free video poker games to play, but they tend to have different rules each time according to the format.
This is the usual quantity you’ll find in these games. As I noted in the above table, some games have fewer numbers than this, usually falling into the mini keno category in the process. You won’t find more than 80 in any game.
Some games have a maximum of 10 numbers. You can choose fewer, but the prizes are bigger for matching more, so it often makes sense to pick the maximum amount before you play.
These are the two methods you can choose from to pick those numbers. I prefer to choose my own, but there’s nothing wrong with opting for auto pick. You can also decide whether to stick with the same numbers for subsequent games or whether to change them each time.
The free version of any keno game will present you with the same bets you can use in the real version. This gives you a chance to get something as close to the real experience as possible. Most games allow a decent range of bets to choose from as well.
You will then see a maximum of 20 numbers drawn by the machine. Some games draw fewer numbers, but you can check this prior to playing an individual game.
The ones you do match usually turn green or are highlighted in some other way. This makes it easier to tell how many numbers you’ve managed to get.
Every keno online game will display any potential winnings before you hit play to begin the game. The more numbers you match, the bigger the resulting prize.
Now that you have a better idea of how keno works, let’s take a look at four specific keno variants. I’ll also show you how these differ from other options in the market.
Age of the Gods is one of the biggest and most successful slot series to come from Playtech. Now, they’ve applied that theme to keno as well, releasing this title for Age of the Gods fans to try. It comes with four jackpots for people placing bets, and a familiar mythological temple backdrop. It also includes potential hot and cold number information.
This is a more polished take on the traditional game. You can choose one, eight, or 15 numbers. The potential prizes for each outcome are shown to the left of the screen, taking into account the quantity of matching numbers you manage to get. As usual, the more you match, the bigger the prize if you’re playing keno online with real money.
The popular slots developer has segued into keno here, offering a traditional version of the game set against a yellow and orange backdrop. You can pick up to 10 numbers from the grid of 80 before playing. Adjustable stake amounts are easy to access, and the whole thing has a nice fresh feel.
This is an 80-number game with basic yet colorful graphics. You can choose up to 15 numbers before hitting the play button, at which point 20 balls are drawn. You can adjust your stake using the controls underneath the ball container. The more balls you match, the bigger the prize.
If you try a few demo games and you enjoy them, you might want to change to the real thing. I did eventually do this, but not until I’d played a dozen or so keno online games to find my favorites and to spot the best sites to visit in my country. I’d do the same if I ever tried any free craps online.
I’ve put together some tips here that helped me find the best site to play at. They’ll work wherever you live, so keep them in mind if you’re ready for some real money play.
No online casino is available everywhere, so make sure you check the availability of any site you visit. Don’t assume you can join an online casino just because you can access it online – some have less stringent accessibility measures than others. Always read the T&Cs and see if residents from your country or location are permitted to join.
If you’re looking for a place to get started, all of the banners on this page will take you to casinos that are available in your region. Just click any of them and sign up to get started.
Do you prefer traditional keno or are you keen on playing some themed keno to make each game feel different from the last? Maybe some mini keno would suit you as it’s faster to play. See what you can find.
Not all online casinos offer new bettors a welcome bonus. The size of the bonus also changes from casino to casino. These are good things to consider when you’re deciding where to play next.
Only you know what sort of budget you’re playing with and how much each individual game could cost. Always play within your limits and remember you are no longer betting with demo funds.
While thousands of players head for the slot games when playing casino games online, most casinos have various other games to try too – and keno is one of them. Many more developers are now creating keno games to add to their collections, so it’s becoming easier to find at least one variant to play at most online casinos.
I hope this guide will help you figure out where to play – and determine which keno online games are right for you. Use the banners on this page and start your keno journey today.
Some games provide hot and cold numbers based on the history of a game, but since keno numbers are drawn at random, each individual number has an equal chance of being drawn when compared to the others.
Yes, absolutely. You won’t find the game at all online casinos, but most of them do include either a section covering keno and bingo or pop one or two games inside a specialty area.
RNG stands for random number generator, and it is the method most keno games will use. This ensures each game is entirely random and the outcome cannot therefore be predicted.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.