Keno is a hugely popular casino game of modern times and most casinos, including land-based sites, will offer some version of it. This lottery-style game is super easy to learn and suitable for players of all levels. However, regular players of Keno will prefer the online version to your land-based games as the payout percentage is much higher.
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The History of Keno
Rumour has it that a style of Keno was used by the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.) to raise money to fund the construction of the Great Wall. Some argue that Keno originated in the early 1800s from a similar game known as Pakapoo and is based on the first 80 characters of a very long poem known as the Thousand Character Classic in which no word is used more than once.
However, the general consensus has it that Keno got its biggest break around the 1840s when Chinese workers came to North America to work on the Transcontinental Railroad and other industries. By the late 1800s it had adopted its current name of Keno and began to spread into a significant number of US states.
Where to Play Online Keno
Many of the top online casinos will feature Keno within their games library. Typically it can be found under the categories “table games”, “casual games”, “lottery games”, “instant wins” or “all games”. Casino goers often look for a break from the norm and Keno is a great alternative to your regular online games such as slots, blackjack, roulette and poker. Whichever Keno version you select to play, you can expect easy to learn rules, fast play and simplistic betting options.
It goes without saying that you need to choose a reputable online casino to enjoy Keno and gamble safely. Here are a few pointers to help you select the right casino:
- Licenced: Top casinos are licensed and regulated by reputable gaming authorities like the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority.
- Security: The best online sites will utilise the latest SSL encryption technology to protect all data and financial transactions.
- Fairness: Games will be provided by top iGaming software providers and tested by third party auditors to ensure RTP (Return to Player) and RNG (Random Number Generator) stats are fair and legit.
- Variety: The best gambling sites will offer a diverse range of games such as slots, table, instant wins, live dealer and casual from top providers like Play’n GO, Evolution, NetEnt, Microgaming and Pragmatic Play.
- Banking: Top online casinos offer multiple trusted and reliable payment methods such as e-wallets, debit/credit cards and mobile pay from providers like Visa, Skrill and Apple.
- Bonuses: The best sites will offer an attractive sign-up bonus and regular promos which feature fair and achievable terms.
- Support: Top gambling sites will offer customer support around the clock through email and live chat. The team will be responsive, knowledgeable and professional.
How to Play Keno
There are several variations of Keno to be found online but with that being said, the core gameplay is pretty much the same across all versions. The Keno board has numbers displayed from 1 to 80 and the goal is to correctly identify the numbers or “spots” as they are also known, to match those selected by a Random Number Generator.
Here’s a snapshot of basic Keno gameplay:
- Select your wager and decide how many numbers (picks) you wish to select
- Check the payout table, place your bet and select your numbers on the Keno board
- Payouts are awarded according to how many you match from the RNG
In a standard game of online Keno you will face a board with 80 spots and be able to select up to 20 numbers (“Pick 20”) to win with. However, some variations may have a different number of spots on the board and only allow a maximum of Pick 10 or Pick 15.
The payout percentage will vary depending on how many picks you get right. For example, a pick 10 may payout 1,600x your bet for getting all ten numbers correct and 800x for guessing nine correct. Subsequent pays could result in say, 50x for eight, 20x for seven, 10x for six, 5x for five, 3x for four, 2x for three and 1x for two.
Online Keno vs. Land-Based Keno
The biggest advantage for players of online Keno is that of the much improved house edge in comparison to land-based casinos. Whereas your bricks and mortar site may only offer a 60 to 70% RTP, online Keno games often fluctuate between the 85 to 95% mark.
Another distinct advantage is the speed of play. Rather than waiting for a draw to be held in a land-based casino, online Keno initiates the draw immediately as you’re the only one playing. This leads to faster gameplay and the availability of much lower minimum bet limits.
