Updated by Matt Bastock
Editor
Fact Checked by Lee James Gwilliam
Senior Vice-President
Keno, the enthralling lottery-style game, has always been a personal favourite of mine (and many others in New Zealand!). Its simplicity and the potential for hefty winnings make it a game worth exploring.
So, if you're looking to learn how to play Keno, just hang with me. In this Keno guide, I'll explain how this fun game works and help you start your Keno adventure right here in New Zealand.
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Keno is a lottery-style game with a draw of a random set of numbers, and your aim is to pick the right numbers for a chance to win real money prizes. Like lotto or bingo, Keno mechanics are simple and very straightforward. Some of these mechanics may be different depending on which Keno game you’re playing, but otherwise, the basic concept of the game remains the same.
So, let’s start with the basics.
Keno can be played online using any internet-enabled device. This is true for both the National Keno, which can be played via any browser or using a dedicated app, and also for Keno casino games that can be played at any mobile casino of your choice, some of which will have their own native app.
Trivia: When the game started to take root in the West, people referred to it as ‘quine’, which in French means 'five winning numbers'. Quine eventually became Keno.
Traditional Keno is played with 80 numbers. To participate in a draw, you need to select a set of numbers (how many depends on the game, some let you select up to 10, others up to 8) out of these 80. If you’re playing the National NZ Keno, then you do this by buying a ticket (the cost of the ticket is the betting money you’re putting into the game). You can buy as many tickets as you want.
If you’re playing a keno game at one of your preferred online casino sites, then to participate in the draw you select the spots, or numbers, by clicking or tapping on them.
There will then be a draw of 20 random numbers.
To win, you need to guess as many numbers as you can, matching your selection with the numbers drawn. The more matches, the greater the prize.
Playing Keno casino games online couldn’t be simpler. It's a lot like playing NZ online pokies in fact.
Many online casinos feature selections of Keno casino games, some of which you can even try in free play mode before placing any real money bets.
Here’s how to get your spots in a few easy steps:
If you would like to try your luck at an online Keno casino game, try one of the NZ casinos I've listed below. These have all been reviewed and are 100% safe:
New Zealand National Keno is a state-run traditional version of the game which can be played online at My Lotto or using the MyLotto App which is available for both iPhone and Android, and works just like the best casino apps. Players are able to log to the site daily between 6.30 in the morning and 11 or 11.30 at night. You can take part in 4 daily draws, at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 6pm.
There are 3 ways to play NZ National Keno:
You can buy an online National Keno ticket in a few easy steps:
Online National Keno lets you play with a random win multiplier, which means you get the chance to multiply any winnings by up to ten times! You can add the multiplier option to any Keno ticket when you are selecting your spots. Adding a multiplier doubles the cost of your Keno ticket. The available multipliers are: x1.5, x2, x3, x5 and x10. The multiplier number is randomly assigned for each Keno draw.
You will find that National Keno results are available online shortly after each draw. Access online results using this link: https://mylotto.co.nz/results/keno.
Matt Bastock is a Content SEO at Casinos.com. He has years of experience researching, writing and editing articles about sports and gaming, including the world of online casinos and sports betting. Matt enjoys playing many casino table games, especially poker and blackjack. He also loves watching professional sports, particularly English and European football, as well as US football, rugby and cricket.
Read Full BioThe way Keno works is extremely simple: there are 80 numbers in play, and you get to choose a combination of numbers (usually up to 10). During the draw, 20 numbers are drawn, and if you match your numbers to those drawn, you’re a winner. The more numbers you match from a single line, the bigger the payout.
Depending on which Keno game you’re playing, normally you need to match at least 3 numbers to score a win. With some variants, you will need 4 minimum numbers to win. The more numbers you match in a single draw, the bigger the prize.
If you’re thinking of the National NZ Keno, you will need to go to the official lotto NZ site at https://mylotto.co.nz/. If not, there are a great number of trusted online casinos that offer several Keno games, including classic versions of the game as well as variations, such as Amaterasu Keno or Book of Keno.
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