What is Keno?
Keno is a pure chance gambling game similar to lottery and bingo, where players select a set of numbers from a larger pool and win prizes if those numbers are randomly drawn. In standard keno, players choose between 1 and 15 numbers from a pool of 80 numbers. The player marks their selected numbers on a keno ticket (either a physical card or digital interface), and specifies a wager amount. The game then draws 20 numbers randomly from the 80-number pool. Winning is determined by comparing the player’s selected numbers against the 20 drawn numbers; the more matches, the higher the payout. Unlike bingo where players must complete specific patterns, keno payouts are based on the number of matching numbers (called “catches” or “hits”), with payout tables showing prizes for different match quantities. Keno is purely luck-based with no strategic decisions affecting outcomes. The game’s appeal includes fast play cycles (draws occur every few minutes), simple rules, low cost per play, and the possibility of substantial payouts from small wagers.
How Keno Works
A keno game begins with the player selecting numbers on a keno ticket. The ticket displays 80 numbers in an 8×10 grid; the player marks (typically 5-15) numbers they believe will be drawn. The player specifies their wager amount, which typically ranges from €1 to €100+ depending on the venue. The keno machine or system then draws 20 numbers randomly from the 80-number pool. These 20 drawn numbers are displayed to all players on a screen or monitor. The player’s ticket is compared against the drawn numbers, and matches are counted. The payout depends on how many numbers the player selected and how many matched the draw.
Payout tables vary significantly depending on venue and game variant, but generally follow patterns: matching 0 numbers pays nothing (loss), matching 3 of 5 selected numbers might pay 1:1, matching 5 of 5 selected numbers might pay 50:1 or higher. Selecting more numbers increases the difficulty of matching all selections (lower probability) but also increases potential payouts. For example, selecting 15 numbers and matching all 15 (a rare event with probability approximately 1 in 428 billion) could pay jackpots of millions. However, selecting 15 numbers means the player must match a nearly impossible outcome to win significantly; smaller selections (5-8 numbers) offer better odds of winning something, though smaller payouts. Keno games in casinos and keno lounges run continuously throughout the day; players can place multiple wagers on successive draws.
Keno in Gambling
Keno is popular in casinos, lounges, and increasingly online and mobile platforms due to its simplicity and fast play cycles. The game appeals to casual players seeking entertainment with minimal learning required and to those seeking the lottery-like appeal of potential large payouts from small wagers. However, keno carries high house edges—typically 25-40% depending on the variant and payout table, substantially higher than most casino games. This high house edge means expected losses accumulate rapidly; a player wagering €100 daily on keno can expect to lose €25-€40 daily in the long term. The fast play cycle (draws every few minutes) facilitates rapid wager accumulation and extended play sessions without conscious awareness of total expenditure. The low cost per play (€1-€5 typical) creates false perception of affordability, encouraging bulk purchasing and rapid cycling through wagers.
Keno’s lottery-like structure—the possibility of life-changing jackpots from small wagers—creates psychological appeal similar to state lotteries. Near-miss psychology is pronounced; a ticket matching 14 of 15 selected numbers (when the player selected 15 hoping for all 15) feels like a near-win despite paying nothing or very little, encouraging further play. Problem gambling in keno is documented, with players spending hours daily in keno lounges chasing payouts. The game’s pure chance nature means no strategy or skill can improve outcomes; education cannot mitigate house edge or reduce losses. Some jurisdictions restrict keno advertising, point-of-sale promotion, and availability to limit harm, while others treat keno as lottery-adjacent and regulate it differently than casino games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does keno differ from bingo in terms of number selection and winning?
A: Bingo requires players to complete a specific pattern (line or full card); keno pays based on how many selected numbers match the drawn numbers. Bingo patterns are predetermined; keno payouts scale with match quantity. Both are pure chance, but winning is determined differently.
Q: What is the typical house edge in keno, and how does it compare to other casino games?
A: Keno has house edge of 25-40%, substantially higher than most casino games (blackjack 0.5%, roulette 2.7%, baccarat 1.06%). This high house edge means rapid expected losses; a €100 daily keno player expects to lose €25-€40 daily long-term.
Q: How many numbers should a player select in keno, and how does this affect winning probability and payouts?
A: Players typically select 5-15 numbers; each selection choice represents a trade-off. Selecting fewer numbers (5-8) offers better odds of matching all selections and winning, but smaller payouts. Selecting more numbers (12-15) offers larger potential jackpots but extremely low probability of matching all.
Q: Why do keno play cycles facilitate rapid spending and extended sessions?
A: Keno draws occur every few minutes, enabling rapid successive wagers. Low cost per play (€1–€5) creates false perception of affordability, encouraging bulk wagers. Continuous draws without natural break points facilitate extended play without conscious awareness of total expenditure.
Q: How does near-miss psychology affect keno player behavior?
A: A ticket matching 14 of 15 selected numbers feels like a near-win despite paying little or nothing. This near-miss psychology triggers motivation to play again, despite the mathematical reality that near-misses are not meaningfully closer to winning.
Q: Why is keno considered a lottery-style game rather than a skill-based casino game?
A: Keno outcomes depend entirely on randomly drawn numbers; no player decisions after selecting numbers affect results. The potential for life-changing jackpots from small wagers mirrors state lotteries. Pure chance nature means no strategy improves outcomes.