Keno Rules

Darko Ilievski by Darko Ilievski Reading time: 8min

Keno is a popular online casino game in Canada mainly because keno rules are incredibly simple to follow and it's easy to play. In this review, we not only discuss the rules and how to play the game but also guide you on finding the best real money online casinos, bonuses, free mobile games, and tips to maximize winnings at any site in 2025.

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Online Keno Rules - Basic Online Gameplay

Understanding the basic gameplay is key to understanding the rules of Keno. It is a game played on a card with 80 numbers, from 1 to 80, on it. Depending on the game, players are expected to select up to 20 random numbers that they feel will be drawn by the software too. It is practically impossible to match every number on the card, with the odds stacked against you at 1 in 3,535,316,142,212,174,336. This is why most games offer payouts even if the player matches just a few numbers, and in some cases matching up to 10 numbers can win you the jackpot. The payout is determined by the number of winning spots. So, the higher the spots matched, the better the payout. If you want to greatly increase your chances of winning big, we highly recommend that you incorporate a betting strategy. Take a look at our keno betting strategies before playing for real money in 2025.

Different Types of Tickets to Purchase

This game has evolved immensely over the years and software publishers have invented dozens of Keno variations to add more dimensions to the game and make it more interesting. Players in all the newest Canada casinos can now choose from a host of keno tickets (the same rules apply) that allow different strategies and payouts like the ones listed below.

  • Straight Tickets: The straight ticket is the most common of all. Here, you simply mark your spots and hope to hit as many spots as you can. Most games allow you to choose up to 15 spots, and more the hits, the better the payout.
  • Way Tickets: With way ticket games you can choose spot numbers in sets. It could be a set of numbers comprising three spots, five spots, or more. Way tickets are very convenient and are usually of a lower rate. So, if you can mark multiple games on a single ticket and would like to pay low rates (as low as 10 cents) then way tickets are your best option.
  • Split Tickets: Basically two or more straight tickets played on the same physical ticket is called a split ticket. While there is no additional monetary advantage to playing a split ticket, it allows you to play two or more games on a single paper. The only disadvantage of the split ticket is that you cannot use a number more than once. So, the selected group of numbers must be unique and not have the same numbers from the other group.
  • Combination Tickets: This type of ticket allows players to combine different straight bets on a single ticket. Players can place multiple bets including a 3-spot and 5-spot bet at the same time, offering you a better range of winning combinations and more fun.
  • King Tickets: The king ticket involves choosing a single number referred to as the 'king or special number' among your selection of spots. This number can be used individually or in combination with other number spots. The king ticket usually costs a bit higher than the rest of the tickets, and this is mainly because of higher payouts.
  • Progressive Jackpot Games: A progressive ticket also includes a jackpot that goes on accumulating as players continue to engage with the game. So, eventually, when the jackpot is struck, players win a massive amount that's in multiples of the payout. Bonus Keno is a good example of this, where a mere C$1 wager can earn you a whopping 20% of the accumulated jackpot.

Keno Card Explained

The typical keno card consists of a table with 8 rows and 10 columns, pre-filled with numbers from 1 to 80. You can choose your number spots manually or auto-pick them with the 'Quick Pick' option in the feature settings panel alongside the table. Besides this, there are other options you need to select before you start the game such as the number of games you wish to play, your preferred bet amount per game, and the ways/spots price.

There is also the 'clear board' option that you can use to deselect all your chosen numbers. Depending on the game variation, you also can check the frequent keno winning numbers drawn at the game, i.e., the hot and cold numbers. Sometimes, there is also the option to check the draws from the previous game.

Keno Odds - How Easy Is it to Win?

When learning online casino Keno rules, you'll soon see that this is a game that is totally based on your luck and chance, and if you're interested in knowing what your chances of winning in a game are, then have a look at the chart below so you can understand the rules of keno better:

Numbers Picked Odds Winnings on $1 Ticket 1 1 in 4 $1 2 1 in 17 $10 3 1 in 73 $25 4 1 in 327 $50 5 1 in 1551 $500 6 1 in 7753 $1500 7 1 in 40,980 $5,000 8 1 in 230,115 $15,000 9 1 in 1,380,688 25,000 10 1 in 8,911,712 $200,000
varieties of keno

Types of Keno Games and Their Rules

Players from Canada have the luxury of choosing from a host of keno games, each offering its own set of features, rules, betting range, bonuses, and more. However, personal preferences also do play a big role in determining which type suits your style of play more. Read all about the different types of keno available at any of the best Canadian operators along with their rules below.

Online Video Keno

Video keno games are one of the most common games available at every top online casino in Canada. These games run on a random number generator software that ensures results remain unpredictable. Some of the more popular online titles are Magic Keno, French Keno, Fast Keno, Burning Keno and Firefly Keno. These games are brought to you by leading games publishers like 1x2 Gaming, Microgaming, and NetEnt to name a few.

Mobile Keno

All online casinos allow players to access their favorite games anytime, anywhere, even while on the go via their mobile devices. The features including the bonuses and rules remain the same no matter which device you play your games on. The only difference, if any, would be a slight change in the layout to accommodate the playing card. Use your iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi or any other phone to enjoy popular mobile games like VIP and Superb Keno.

Keno Live

Keno is a simple and fast-paced game with easy rules, which when played live only adds to the intrigue and thrill. The top live casinos usually have a new live-draw game available every four minutes, so there are a load of games to play. Playtech and Ezugi are two of the best live gaming software providers. Try your luck at impressive games like Big Red Keno and KenoGO.

Are The Keno Rules The Same for Live Dealer Games?

With live keno, the rules and gameplay is pretty much the same as it is with RNG software games. The only difference is that the spots are drawn real-time by a live dealer, which of course adds to the suspense of the live game.

Keno Rules and How to Play Online

Playing keno is very simple. While playthrough does vary from one type to another, the game flow is pretty much standard, and you can easily do this by following the steps below.

  1. Go through our reviews for legal Canadian operators.
  2. Signup with any of our feature sites that suit your needs the most.
  3. Claim your welcome package.
  4. Login and select a game to play.
  5. Manually select your number spots or use the 'Auto Pick' feature.
  6. Wager your preferred bet.
  7. Hit the 'Play' or 'Draw' button to play the round.
  8. Check the outcome of the round.
  9. After following these keno rules, winnings are yours to cashout
  10. Go on to play again!

Best Winning Tips for New Players

Keno is a casino game that's totally based on luck; however, there are tips that we recommend you use to boost your odds of winning at any of the best online keno sites in Canada.

  1. Look for Special Feature Tickets: There are various options available on the latest keno tickets that make the game much more fun to play. Choose games with innovative features like customizable bet amounts, flexible betting options, quick-pick betting options, additional side-bets and re-bets.
  2. Choose Games With Bonus Features: Bonus features add more excitement to the game and offer better winnings as well. Expect additional cash rewards and prizes with bonus features giving you higher payouts.
  3. Find the Best Payouts: Games with a high return-to-player percentage will always present you with the best chance of winning. The RTP is the percentage of what you get back on a game you play over a period of time. So, for example, if the average game RTP is 98%, it means that for every 100 CAD you wager, you will get back an average of 98 CAD, if not more. This is why it's a good idea to find and choose games with the best payouts.
  4. Try Progressive Keno Games: Play progressive games to hit the biggest possible wins. Here, the jackpot starts at a specific amount and the prize money goes on increasing as players continue to place bets. This goes on until someone hits the progressive jackpot, bagging a massive payout.
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Online Keno vs Online Bingo

Keno and bingo are both number-based games. They are very easy to play and offer amazing thrills and good entertainment. However, it is worth noting that both are quite different from each other. One of the most distinctive features being the fact that keno allows you to wager different bets on multiple numbers in varying amounts, and even divide the selected numbers into sets. Whereas, in bingo, it is a straightforward bet on the spots you wish to hit and payouts multiply accordingly.

In Keno, players can hit the jackpot even if a certain number of spots match, and other smaller prizes for matching fewer numbers. Bingo, on the other hand, has pre-specified prize winnings for full house, the top, center or bottom line. Additionally, there is also a large difference between the size of payout in keno and bingo along with different odds with both games.

As you can see, both these online casino games are very distinct from one another, but action-packed and very entertaining, nonetheless. Go to our free bingo casinos page for the best games where you have fun and check out the feature for yourself at no extra cost.

Practice Casino Keno Rules Free with No Download

As you can see keno is quick, fun and easy to play and learn the rules. It also offers lucrative winnings with a host of features and bets that you can choose from. You can review or play free keno games right here on our site with no registration and no download. Alternatively, signup with any of our featured casinos on this page to claim an attractive bonus and use it to play real money games at no extra cost.

FAQs

  • How do you win real money playing online keno?

    It's simple. Go through the featured casino reviews on our site, signup with the brand that best suits you, claim your bonus, start playing online keno games and win real money.

  • Are the rules of keno easy to learn?

    Yes. Keno is like an instant lottery or a custom bingo game. The rules are simple and easy to learn.

  • Can I play this game with a no deposit casino bonus in Canada?

    Yes, of course. We have a range of top Canadian no deposit bonus casinos that let players enjoy keno games for free.

  • Can I play this game on my mobile?

    Yes. All brands listed on our site are fully mobile optimized and compatible with Android, iOS and Windows devices.

  • How many numbers do I need to bet on?

    The most common keno card has numbers from 1 through 80 and depending on the variation you play. You can bet on up to 20 spots with each card.

  • Can I play free to practise and learn the keno rules?

    Yes, of course. The brands mentioned on our website have keno titles from providers that let you enjoy the games with no deposit via the free mode.

  • What are the odds of winning when playing this game?

    The odds of hitting a number spot on a C$1 ticket are 1 in 4. However, as the numbers increase, so do the odds. Have a look at the odds table on this page to get a better understanding of this.

  • Is it better to play with a live dealer or RNG software?

    This depends on what your preference is. If you like fast games without the distractions, then RNG software keno games are the best for you. But if you would like to enjoy the thrills and a realistic feel of the game, then live dealer keno is what you should play.

  • How much can I win playing this game for real money?

    Winnings depend on the number of spots you win. The amounts vary from one game to another, and you can have a look at this on the payout table.

  • Are there keno strategies I can use to boost my chances of winning?

    Yes. There are strategies you can employ in keno such as choosing games with bonus features, special feature tickets, progressive jackpots and the best payouts.

About the Author
 Darko Ilievski
Darko Ilievski - Managing Editor

Darko is an accomplished managing editor with more than 5 years of experience in the online gambling industry. With a wealth of knowledge at his disposal, he oversees the quality and accuracy of gaming content and specializes in researching and unloading high-quality reviews and articles. Darko also creates engaging and compelling content for various sectors at Online-Casinos.ca