How to play keno

Pick numbers and see how many are drawn.

  • House edgeOften 5% or more
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Free demoUsually
  • DecisionsNone

Ryan JessopBy Ryan Jessop. Last checked .

Key takeaways

  • Pick numbers and see how many are drawn.
  • House edge: often 5% or more.
  • Difficulty: easy.
  • Pick four to six numbers; the pay tables are easiest to follow.

Quick answerPick numbers and see how many are drawn. Choose your stake. Pick up to ten numbers from 80.

Easy

Five steps

  1. Choose your stake.
  2. Pick up to ten numbers from 80.
  3. Twenty numbers are drawn.
  4. The more of yours that match, the more you win.
  5. The pay table shows the prize for each count.

What it pays

You matchResult
None or fewNothing
About half your picksA small prize
All your picksThe top prize for that count

A sample round

You pick five numbers for 50p. Two come up, which pays nothing on most pay tables. Next game three match and return your stake.

How keno compares with a lottery

Keno is a lottery you can play every few seconds. That is its appeal and its risk: a weekly draw limits what you can spend, and keno does not. Unlike a lottery, the prizes are fixed by a pay table and do not depend on how many others win. The numbers drawn are random each game, so picking birthdays, patterns or numbers that have not appeared lately makes no difference.

A good first bet

Pick four to six numbers; the pay tables are easiest to follow.

The mistake to avoid

Assuming it is a low-cost game. Keno returns are usually lower than slots.

What it costs

Check the RTP in the help screen; it varies widely. Not confirmed at our five casinos.

Before you play: set a deposit limit, decide a budget, try the demo, follow the six steps.

Next up

How to play SlingoSpin numbers to mark off a bingo-style card.How to play scratch cardsReveal panels to see if you have won.

Where to play

Ad 18+ only. We may earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure

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Read the Ladbrokes review Licence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

Keep reading: Step 4: take or decline the welcome offer, How to play Slingo and How to read a slot paytable.

Keep handy: the one-page cheat sheet and the ready-to-play checklist.

Offer terms were read from each casino's published conditions and dated 5 October 2026. Game rules and house edges are standard published figures. Casino details other than offers come from independent reviews; we have not opened real-money accounts. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play keno?

Pick numbers and see how many are drawn.

Is keno good for beginners?

Yes; the rules are simple.

What is the house edge on keno?

Often 5% or more.

Can I try it free?

Software games often have a demo; live games do not.

How to playHow to play casino games online.Step 5: play your first gameHow to play your first online casino game.First game finderWhich casino game should a beginner play first? Answer one question and the finder suggests a game, with its difficulty and house edge.

18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.

Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Visit BeGambleAware.org and GamCare, or block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites with GAMSTOP.

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