Keno is one of the easiest – and most exciting – casino games you’ll be able to play at your favourite NZ online casinos. This laid-back numbers game mixes the instant buzz of a slot spin with the life-changing win potential of a lottery ticket..
And if you already like to spin the reels on top-rated NZ slot games between meetings or slumped on the couch at weekends, adding Keno to your list of go-to games is a smart next step!
The rules are straightforward, new games begin every few minutes online, and you decide exactly how risky (or how conservative) each ticket should be! Today, we’re going to explore exactly how to play Keno – and what you need to know about the game before playing.
Keno: A Brief Introduction
Keno is, essentially, a lottery game. Most Keno games use a standard draw that contains 80 numbers – and before each game round begins, you mark, or “spot” a set of numbers on a virtual card. You can choose to play from just one number – or a full set of 20. Once the game begins, the randomiser will spit out 20 winning balls.
The more balls you match, the larger your win – and if you manage to match a lot of numbers (12-15+) the payouts can be – well, huge!
A Brief History of Keno
Keno is believed to have originated in China – over 2,000 years ago! In fact, some legends say it helped finance the construction of the Great Wall of China!
In the 1900s, however, Keno spread to North America – and it was primarily Chinese immigrant railway workers who were responsible for bringing it over. In the 1930s, it found its way into Las Vegas casinos – and its popularity continued to grow – right the way through to the present day!
New Zealand’s pubs and clubs adopted electronic Keno terminals in the 1990s, and today Kiwi players enjoy the game via lotteries, TAB outlets, and licensed online casinos.
How To Play Keno
As mentioned, Keno is very simple to play – and here’s a quick guide to how you can get started:
Choose a Reputable NZ Online Casino: The first step is to choose a top-rated online casino that accepts players from New Zealand. Here at DashTickets, our team works hard to bring you the best NZ casinos – all tested and hand-picked by our team.
Choose Your Keno Variant and Stake: Once you’ve signed up to your chosen online casino (and made a deposit) you’ll need to select which Keno game you’d like to play. Some casinos offer multiple variations – like Classic, Power, Super, and Bonus Ball Keno. Once you’ve decided, you then need to select your stake; some casinos let you play for as little as NZ1!
Set Your Spot Count:4-spot or 6-spot tickets offer frequent hits; 10-spot tickets offer bigger win potential, while anything higher than this is where you’ll find the huge payouts – but with lottery-like odds.
Select Your Numbers: Once you’ve chosen your spot count, you need to pick your numbers. You can do this manually, or use a “Quick Pick” feature to have them randomly selected for you.
Choose How Many Draws To Play: Most Keno games online let you play multiple rounds, with one ticket. You can, for example, pick your numbers, and play for 10 rounds – saving you from needing to manually set up the game each round.
Watch the Draw – And Cross Your Fingers!: Once you’ve purchased your ticket, it’s time to watch the action unfold! If you hit any wins, the money is credited to your online casino balance automatically; no need to scan any tickets or queue at a kiosk!
Keno Tickets: A Breakdown
When you play online Keno, tickets almost always look pretty much the same – and most tickets contain four elements, all of which are adjustable to fit your personal playing preferences. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be able to see on your Keno ticket:
Stake: How much you’re going to be wagering (betting) per ticket – or, sometimes, per draw cycle.
Spot Count: The spot count is the quantity of numbers you’ll be marking – and you can usually select between 1 and 20 numbers.
Number Selection: These are the lucky numbers you pick – or, alternatively, the numbers chosen by the Quick Pick randomiser.
Draw Multiplier/Bonus Bets: In some Keno variations you’ll find additional side bets. These can, for example, activate multipliers, or offer progressive jackpots.
Keno: Side Bets
Bonus and side bets in online Keno are offered in most game variations today – and they’re designed to add extra volatility (and win potential) for players wanting even more payout potential!
One of the most common side bets/upgrades you can place is Extra Ball. This costs you (usually) around 30% extra – and you are then given the ability to choose a 21st number that can multiply every standard win by two to ten times if it lands among your spots.
Power Keno and Super Keno take another route. They keep the ticket price unchanged, but offer a 400% increase in payout potential if your first or last matched ball triggers a win! You’ll also find some Keno variations offering progressive jackpots or Booster Bets – allowing you to, for example, spin for instant cash prizes, or trying your luck at a double-or-nothing gamble round
Conclusion
While Keno traces its history to ancient China, its modern online forms are perfect for Kiwis. Most Keno games available today are fast, mobile-friendly, and offer you the chance to hit big payouts – and they’re available at all of the best online casinos, so you should have no issues finding a suitable site to try the game out at!
Author
Sophia Novakivska
Sophia Novakivska is a Kyiv-born linguist who has spent ten years auditing casinos, writing 300+ guides, and mastering slot math for Dashtickets.nz. After translating tech manuals, she produced content for iGaming.com, AskGamblers, Gambling.com, and BetterCollective, then earned a UKGC-approved certificate in Responsible Gambling (2022). Today she combines on-site game demos with regulatory deep dives to flag hidden fees and highlight truly fair RTPs for New Zealand players.
About Sophia Novakivska | X (Twitter): @SNovakivska | Portfolio & Contact
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