The best keno sites UK
When it comes to gambling, and lottery games in particular, the same names are always mentioned, including bingo. Instead, there is another pastime similar to these that originated in China but has now also spread to the Western world. This is online keno, a valid alternative to traditional bingo which is played with a card showing the numbers from 1 to 80. The rules and gameplay are not very complex, but for clarity, we have decided to summarize them in this guide, which also indicates the online casinos where you can play keno.
Criteria for choosing the best keno online casino
Choosing between the various casinos that offer keno among their titles is quite simple. In fact, three macro factors must be taken into consideration when selecting: the license, the best online casino bonuses, and the payment methods available.
- Reputation
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an online keno casino is the site’s reputation. Look for casinos with a good track record of fair play, timely payouts, and excellent customer service.
- Game selection
The best keno online casinos should offer a variety of game options, including different variations of the game, and with varying stakes. This ensures you will have a lot of choices and opportunities to win.
- User experience
The online keno casino you choose should have an easy-to-navigate website, user-friendly software, and responsive customer support. The interface should also be visually appealing and enjoyable to use.
- Bonuses and promotions
Look for keno online casinos that offer attractive bonuses, rewards, and promotions. These can include welcome bonuses, deposit match bonuses, free spins, and more. Additionally, check the terms and conditions for these bonuses before signing up, to make sure they are actually worth it.
- Payment options
Make sure the online keno casino offers multiple payment options and that they are secure, fast and convenient. You should be able to deposit and withdraw money without any hassles.
- Licensing and regulation
Check if the online keno casino is licensed and regulated by reputable authorities such UK Gambling Commission. This ensures that the site is operating legally and that your money and personal information are safe.
How to play online keno for real money?
You can play keno online for free, but also for real money, but you cannot win any money in the free keno version. Below you can see a small instruction on how to get started playing keno for real money in UK online casinos.
Time Needed: 10 Minutes
Tools Needed: Laptop/Mobile
Software Needed: Email
Step 1
Choosing the best keno online casino from our list
Before talking about the actual rules of the game, it is advisable to choose a good online casino where you can enjoy our game of oriental origin.
Step 2
Choose the variant of keno
In fact, it is necessary to observe what are the different variations of keno between the traditional one and the online one.
Step 3
Choose numbers
To play, players will be able to select numbers from the keno grid with their mouse and decide which and how many numbers to play. The choice is to be made on the many numbers available and the player can select a total of up to 20. Similarly, the minimum number of numbers selected is 1.
Step 4
Choose the amount of bet
Once he has made his own choice regarding which numbers and how many numbers to play, the player can decide the amount of the bet with a very variable figure. The minimum allowed is 5 pence per bet, although on average the bets made range from euro to 10 pounds.
Step 5
Verify extraction
Obviously, once you have chosen the bet to be made and its amount, it will no longer be possible to change it. After playing, the extraction will take place in which the player will understand if and how much he has managed to win.
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Online keno rules
Keno is a fairly simple game and therefore the rules are quite simple to learn. The versions you see online are quite similar to the ones you play in land-based casinos, and many online casinos have demo versions so you can try out the game before playing for real.
The rules for Keno online are quite simple, and you get them here:
- The keno board has 80 numbers.
- The player can choose 1-10 numbers to bet on (in some games you can choose 15 or 20).
- The player decides the amount to bet.
- The player decides how many games to play.
- 10-20 numbers are randomly drawn (via RNG software).
- The player has won if he/she guessed some or all of the numbers correctly.
- Winnings are paid based on a payout table.
How much the player wins depends on how many numbers are played.
Here is the procedure for the new player who wants to play Keno games online:
- Select a number or several numbers you want to bet on.
- Select the amount you want to play for.
- Place your bets on the numbers you have selected.
- Watch the dealer spin the wheel and wait for the winning numbers.
- If you guessed correctly, you can now receive your winnings.
- Decide if you want to play again and start from point 1.
Online keno bets types
When you want to play the online Keno UK and win prizes, you first have to decide what kind of bet you want to make. There are several ways to look at it. Either you can select some random numbers you want to bet on, or you can use different bet types to increase your chances of winning.
- Straight Tickets. It offers a classic online version of keno. It stands out for giving players the opportunity to buy numbers and then wait for them to come out. From this game, you come out winners or losers immediately.
- Split Tickets. It is a ticket that offers the player to try his luck twice by dividing the chosen numbers into groups.
- Way Tickets. A game mode that offers users tickets that allow them to divide the amount to be paid for the purchase of numbers based on mathematical calculations that allow them to be combined and therefore a basic saving. This is a version intended for players who like to bet on many numbers.
- Combination Tickets. The tickets, in this version, allow you to combine the bets which are however decided by the casinos. The fifth mode is instead King Tickets. It resembles Way Tickets and offers the player the possibility of electing only one number as King and therefore betting more on this number than the rest of the group. Finally, Special Tickets offers special tickets put on the plate directly by the casinos that follow different rules from the others.
- King Number tickets. You can almost work it out, but a King Number is the player’s specific favorite number, which you select on your ticket, and is then played together with other numbers. It can therefore be played on both Straight, Way and combination tickets, which will be explained further down.
Keno odds of winning in online casinos
Now let’s see what are the different odds of winning at online keno. As mentioned, this title offers different variables that are not limited to the traditional game. One of the different modes offers the possibility to bet up to 40 numbers. But let’s see how this translates during a game session.
When a player chooses to bet on 5 numbers, in fact, he has a 40% chance of hitting at least one. Likewise, the probability drops to 27% for guessing two and 8% for guessing 3.
It is therefore a game that, apparently, may seem very easy but which, on the contrary, holds more than one pitfall. Suffice it to say that the probability that 5 out of 5 numbers come out is incredibly low and is equal to 1 out of 389 million. At this point, it is legitimate to ask how it is better to play. The best answer is to bet on 7,8,9 or 10 numbers at the same time, no more.
See below in the table which odds you play with, how much the house edge is, and other relevant numbers you can use to secure the best conditions.
Online Keno: Odds and Payout
Selected numbers |
Numbers match |
Payments |
Odds |
2 Numbers |
2 out of 20 |
7:1 |
1:13 |
3 Numbers |
3 out of 20 |
25:1 |
1:48 |
4 Numbers |
4 out of 20 |
100:1 |
1:189 |
5 Numbers |
5 out of 20
4 out of 20 |
250:1
20:4 |
1:718
1:50 |
6 Numbers |
6 out of 20
5 out of 20 |
1000:1
125:5 |
1:3,383
1:169 |
7 Numbers |
7 out of 20
6 out of 20
5 out of 20 |
5000:1
300:9
25:5 |
1:15,464
1:619
1:63 |
8 Numbers |
8 out of 20
7 out of 20
6 out of 20 |
25,000:1
1000:5
100:10 |
1:74,961
1: 2,438
1:199 |
9 Numbers |
9 out of 20
8 out of 20
7 out of 20
6 out of 20 |
50,000:1
1000:1
1000:10
10:2 |
1:387,197
1:10,325
1:6851 in 86 |
10 Numbers |
10 out of 20
9 out of 20
8 out of 20
7 out of 20 |
250,000:1
5000:1
1000:5
50:2 |
1:2,147,181
1:47,238
1:2571
1:261 |
Online keno types
Now we have talked about what strategies you can use, what bets you can make, and how to optimize your chances, so now we look at what types of Keno games you can come across.
- Single ticket Keno
In Single-ticket Keno, you play with a single ticket where you can choose between 10-20 numbers depending on where you play. You can choose between numbers 1-80 and the goal is to guess as many correctly as possible. Choose how much you want to bet and how many numbers you want to bet on. For example, you can bet 10 pounds on 6 numbers, which means that you bet 60 pounds in total. You can see your winnings on your chosen 6 numbers in the game’s payout table.
- Multi-ticket Keno
In Multi-ticket Keno, the same rules and principles apply as in the one above. You choose entirely how much you want to bet and which numbers you want to bet on. The difference is that here you have more tickets to play on. You can choose to play on 3 tickets, where you, for example, play 1-10 on the first, 20-30 on the second, and 50-60 on the third. Then you have 30 numbers you can win on, distributed among your tickets.
- Progressive Jackpot Keno
As written earlier, Keno with progressive jackpot is a variant where you have the opportunity to win an accumulated jackpot when you win the big prize. Instead of a fixed amount, you can instead win the sum accumulated by several players having played.
- Power Keno
Power Keno, in all its simplicity, means that you win a 4x multiplier if the last number drawn is your winning number. But then only the last number triggers the Power Keno function, which quadruples your winnings.
Online keno strategies
To excel and win in a game like keno you need to play following some small strategies. In fact, the game is not complex at all but, with some small tricks, it can be much more profitable for those who intend to venture into it. Concretely, however, keno is a game that is based on the random online extraction of numbers and, therefore, does not provide for the possibility of particular strategies or tricks to be used. On the contrary, there may be game tips that can prove valuable.
As we mentioned earlier, Keno is a game that rewards chance, but there are actually a few strategies you can use to get the best chances of success. There are specifically two strategies you can use, and you can read about them below before choosing which one suits you best.
You should include all the previously mentioned aspects when choosing your Keno casino. You should also look at which online keno variants the different casinos offer.
Online keno RTP
1 choice |
2 choices |
3 choices |
4 choices |
5 choices |
6 choices |
7 choices |
8 choices |
9 choices |
10 choices |
75.00% |
98.10% |
90.19% |
89.02% |
86.08% |
93.79% |
93.61% |
92.94% |
93.49% |
90.82% |
Online keno strategy 1: Look for patterns
When we talk about Keno strategies, there are no guarantees that they are foolproof ways to win, but they can be a help in the fight for the winnings. The first strategy is about finding patterns that you can exploit to your own advantage.
- Keep an eye on all the numbers that are drawn over a period – make a list.
- Note on the list which numbers repeat and have been drawn several times.
- Also, keep an eye on which numbers are rarely or never drawn.
- Use the numbers drawn multiple times the next time you make a bet
- Stay away from the numbers that are rarely drawn.
This strategy is based on some numbers being drawn more often than others.
Online keno strategy 2: Play the same song all the time
The second strategy that can be used makes as much sense as the first but is based on a completely different principle. It is simple and requires no preparation like the first strategy. Here, you actually stick to some specific numbers, every single time you play.
- Use the same numbers each time.
- Each number should have the same chance of coming up no matter what.
- You can test your numbers in the demo version as many times as you want, and fine-tune which numbers you want to bet on.
Many people use this strategy. It is easy to understand and does not require much thought. On the contrary, it gives a feeling of joy when the specifically selected numbers hit correctly and give a profit.
Online Keno vs Traditional Keno
There are very few differences between traditional and online keno. Obviously, the most evident and glaring difference is represented by the possibility of playing live or, on the contrary, via PC, mobile phone, or tablet. In the first case, in fact, many people like to sit in person at the gaming tables and experience the thrill of the most classic bet.
In the second case, however, the player is more relaxed, perhaps within the home. The success of the online version lies precisely in its mobile idea, which allows anyone at any time to bet and have fun, without having to be physically present. There are no actual game differences between the two versions as online keno is a copy of the traditional and therefore physical one.
Keno mobile casinos
Now let’s move on to the mobile version of online keno. This is the version available for smartphones and tablets of the famous game which will offer the player complete identification even if portable, a unique and unrepeatable opportunity for all keno lovers. Indeed, this version offers players the opportunity to play comfortably from their mobile devices, whether they are on the train, at home, on the subway, or on the bus.
Mobile keno is therefore a version of the game made even faster, more frenetic, and playable than the title, available in all its different modes. In summary, placing a bet on mobile phones and tablets really becomes child’s play. Just open the dedicated app (available for iOS and Android) and start playing. Through the touch controls it will be very easy to bet and play, selecting the different game modes from time to time. Some portals also offer the availability of playing with Windows Mobile.
Best keno mobile casino sites UK
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Keno live casinos
Keno, as previously mentioned, is a less widespread game than other casino games. For this reason, there are very few casinos that offer a live gaming experience. Still, live keno promises all table game lovers enormous satisfaction. In fact, the player will watch the draws live following, from time to time, the results of his predictions, obviously hoping that they will come true.
It is a challenging and engaging mode, in which individual players manage to be connected to live tables, with dealers from all over the world. It is hoped that in the near future, this technology and game mode will also be implemented in the UK.
Best keno live casino sites UK
- Unique welcome bonus offer
- Plenty of casino promotions
- Original rewards program
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Real money keno bonuses
Keno falls under the lottery game type and it is often the players who love that type of game who choose Keno. As such, there are no definite bonuses issued only for Keno games, but there are still bonuses to look for on the casino sites where you can play Keno.
Some online casinos offer cash bonus money that can be used in their casino, and it is these that can be used for online Keno. Therefore, choose your casino carefully and check their bonus offer before depositing money, to make sure you have made the right choice.
Best bonuses in keno online casinos UK
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Online Keno tips that can help you save money
- Know the rules.
Before you start playing for real money, it is always important that you know the rules of the game. This also applies if a variant of the game Keno is offered that you are not familiar with.
- Check out the payout tables.
Before you deposit, be sure to check the individual Keno game’s payout table. Which strategy is best to use for the payouts the casino offers?
- Manage your budget.
Be sure how much you can tolerate spending on gambling and set a limit for yourself. In many casinos, you can set a daily, weekly, or monthly limit for yourself.
- Practice on the free demo version.
Before you jump headfirst into real money Keno games, go ahead and practice the demo version first. This can save you from many unfortunate trial games.
- Choose between four and eight numbers.
The best odds turn out to be when you bet on between four and eight numbers. You can see in the tables here in the guide which odds give you the best chance of winning.
- Play only at licensed casinos.
A final piece of advice is that you should always play in licensed casinos, so you are guaranteed fair treatment and random results.
Try free keno before playing for real money
Online keno is a game very similar to an online lotto in which it shares strengths and weaknesses. However, it differs from it in the number of bets that can be made, since keno is a game that can be played much more often, with continuous draws.
For this reason, many players before trying real money keno prefer to test the functioning of the online keno and its different combinations on some online casino sites UK that offer the possibility to play free keno games. In this context, in fact, the player can play free keno online casinos without registering for their favorite title and get carried away without necessarily having to spend money. It is the best way to master keno online, its different combinations, multiple bets, and the cost estimates associated with it.
A brief history of Keno
Keno is an ancient game, certainly prior to many Western online casino games, among which there are roulette or blackjack. Its first traces date back, according to scholars, centuries ago, in China of the Han dynasty, present between the second century BC and the second century AD
It developed in that era due to a war that lasted for many years and which, at the same time, was draining the resources of the Chinese kingdom. The rulers, to try to remedy the problem and collect more money, invented this game. To do so, according to some historical reconstructions, it was Cheung Leung who devised a lottery-like game where the real money is won, by betting on the extraction of some symbols out of a total of 120 different tiles. The game was enormously successful, enough to restore the kingdom’s finances.
Many years later, keno was once again used to raise funds to build the Great Wall of China, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In the Western world, however, this game was imported in a much more recent era. It arrived thanks to the many Chinese migrations that occurred toward the United States of America during the nineteenth century. From the USA the phenomenon also took hold in Europe with small changes. The symbols, in fact, were replaced by numbers, and the name, keno, is thought to have Latin or French origins whose meaning would be “the five winning numbers”.
Final thoughts on keno online casinos
Keno actually has a longer history than you might think. The way you see the online Keno game now is not quite the same as the way it was played in China long before the Great Wall was built. But it is now still the same game, which has since taken over both the American and European markets.
The game of keno is an expanding reality, today not very widespread as far as the UK is concerned but clearly growing thanks to its online offer. The game via the web, mobile phone, or tablet offers notable and multiple solutions to players and is destined to establish itself as one of the most popular games. Today, as mentioned, it is still a niche title but, at the same time, the important attention that more and more casinos are giving it will lead it to be a top title in a short time like the lotto.