Keno Guide
Keno is a number-draw game: you pick between 1 and 10 numbers (sometimes more) from 1 to 80, the game draws 20 numbers, and you are paid according to how many of your picks are drawn. Australians know it from pubs and clubs, where state-licensed keno runs on screens in the bar; online casinos offer RNG versions that draw instantly. The rules are simple, the odds can be calculated exactly, and the return depends entirely on the paytable, which is where most of the difference between keno games lies.
Keno at a Glance
| Feature | Standard keno |
|---|---|
| Numbers | 1 to 80 |
| Numbers drawn | 20 per game |
| Spots you choose | Usually 1 to 10; some games allow more |
| Chance any one number is drawn | 25% |
| Catch 5 of 5 | 1 in 1,551 |
| Catch 10 of 10 | 1 in 8,911,711 |
| Extra bets | Heads or Tails (which half of the board gets more numbers) in some games |
The probabilities come from one formula: the number of ways to catch *k* of your *n* spots, divided by all the ways to choose *n* numbers from 80. Our keno odds page sets out the full tables for 1- to 10-spot tickets.
Why the Paytable Decides Everything
Keno has no strategy that changes the odds of the draw. The only decisions are how many spots to pick, how much to stake and how many games to play. The return comes from the paytable for your spot count, and it can vary a lot:
- Different spot counts in the same game can have different RTPs.
- Venue and online keno use different paytables.
- The top prize (for example catching 10 of 10) contributes to the RTP but arrives so rarely that most players never see it.
To check a paytable yourself, multiply each payout by its probability and add the results. A worked example on the odds page shows a 5-spot paytable that returns 67.2%, a house edge of 32.8%. Real paytables can be higher or lower, so check the stated RTP in the game rules.
Online Keno vs Venue Keno
| Feature | Online RNG keno | Venue keno |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | Instant, on demand | Scheduled draws |
| Grid | Usually 80 numbers; some instant titles use smaller grids | 80 numbers |
| Paytable and RTP | Set by the game provider, shown in the help screen | Set by the operator under state rules |
| Pace | Can be several games per minute | A game every few minutes |
Some instant games from crash-game studios, such as Spribe’s Keno, use a smaller number grid, so their odds differ from 80-number keno. Read the rules screen before comparing paytables.
The speed of online keno matters more than in venues. At four games per minute, a A$1 stake becomes A$240 of total bets per hour. With a 5% house edge that is A$12 per hour on average; with a 25% edge it is A$60.
Where to Play Keno Online
The casinos below accept Australian players and list Spribe, whose instant-games range includes a Keno title; other keno games depend on each casino’s providers. Search the casino’s game list for “keno” and open the paytable before playing.
Practical Points
- Compare the RTP of each spot count, not the size of the top prize.
- Set a game count and a loss limit before you start; fast draws make both easy to overshoot. See setting limits.
- Ignore hot and cold numbers. Each draw is independent; see the gambler’s fallacy.
- Check bonus terms. Keno may count fully, partially or not at all towards wagering requirements.
All Keno Guides
- Keno Rules: picking spots, how catches are paid, way and king tickets, Heads or Tails, and online versus venue keno.
- Keno Odds: exact catch probabilities for 1- to 10-spot tickets, the formula, and a step-by-step RTP calculation for any paytable.
Related Guides
Lottery-style alternatives are covered in our online bingo guide and scratch cards guide. For instant RNG games from the same studios, see the crash games guide. The concepts of RTP and house edge are explained in RTP explained. All game families are in the casino game guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
You choose numbers from 1 to 80, the game draws 20 at random, and you are paid according to how many of your numbers were drawn, using the paytable for your number of spots.
It depends on your ticket. A single number is drawn 25% of the time. Catching all 5 on a 5-spot ticket is 1 in 1,551, and all 10 on a 10-spot is 1 in 8,911,711.
Keno RTPs vary widely between games and spot counts. Online keno usually states its RTP in the game rules; compare it with the 95% to 97% typical of online pokies before choosing.
No strategy changes the draw. You can only choose the spot count and paytable with the highest stated RTP, and control your stake and number of games.
The draw format (20 from 80) is usually the same, but paytables, speed and RTP differ. Online keno can run several games per minute.
Keno is a game of chance with a house edge. Play only if you are 18 or older; Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) offers free, confidential support.