Keno, the enthralling lottery-style game, has always been a personal favorite of mine (and many others in New Zealand!). Its simplicity and the potential for hefty winnings make it a game worth exploring. In this Keno guide, I'll share insights on how Keno works, and guide you through the steps to embark on your Keno adventure right here in New Zealand.
Keno Game Guide
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.
- Selecting Spots: Spots are your numbers, the one’s you’ll need to pick to create a Keno ticket. Traditional Keno has up to 80 spots, from which you need to select up to 10 numbers per ticket. In some Keno variants, the range of numbers can be different, as well as the maximum spots per ticket you can pick.
- Placing Bets: How much you want to wager is up to you, as long as it is within the minimum and maximum allowed by the game. Your potential payout is directly linked to the sum you bet and the number of spots you select.
- Applying Multipliers: Some Keno games allow you to apply a win multiplier on your tickets. This gives you the chance to increase the payout amount considerably.
- Waiting for the Draw: After all bets are in, 20 numbers are drawn at random. Some Keno games use a device called a Keno Hopper to do this, while online casino Keno uses RNG software - both ensure fair and unbiased outcomes.
- Checking Winning Numbers: Check your tickets to see if any of the spots you chose match those drawn. The more matches you hit, the greater your prize.
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.
How Does Keno Work in NZ
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.
How to Play Keno Casino Games Online
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:
- Open your favourite Keno casino: Browse to a casino you know or pick one of my recommended Keno casinos from the list above.
- Register an Account: If you’re a new Keno player, you’ll need to sign up for an account. Provide the necessary information and verify your identity as required by local NZ regulations.
- Deposit Funds: Fund your casino account with the amount you wish to play.
- Open Keno: Find your Keno game. Bonus Keno by Netent, Keno Draw by Games Global, Amaterasu Keno by Mascot Gaming and Book of Keno by Evoplay are some of my favourites that I think you should try.
- Pick Your Numbers: Select your numbers manually or let the game do it for you (most games will have an auto-pick feature).
- Place Your Bet: Determine the amount you want to wager on your selected numbers.
- Play: Start the Keno draw, sit back and await the results.
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:
How To Play The New Zealand National Keno Online
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:
- Dip - Picking a dip means you get a ticket with 10 numbers on a line, randomly selected for you by the software.
- Pick your own numbers - When you pick numbers manually, you decide how much you want to spend per line and how many numbers you want to play from 1 to 10. Once these choices are made, you pick your numbers.
- Favourites - You have the ability to save your ticket as a Favourite and play it again.
Buying a National Keno Ticket Online
You can buy an online National Keno ticket in a few easy steps:
- Using your desktop or mobile browser, log in at https://mylotto.co.nz/keno
- Tap either Buy A Dip or Pick Your Own
- If you selected Buy A Dip, select one of the line options and optionally add a multiplier.
- If you selected Pick Your Own, choose spend per line, choose how many numbers, then either start picking the numbers by tapping them, or select Auto Fill. To add a multiplier, click Add.
- If you're happy with your selection, click Buy at the top of the screen and proceed to checkout.
Adding a Random Multiplier to Your National Keno Ticket
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.
Checking National Keno Results Online
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.