Online Keno

Features of a Good Keno Casino

Casino enthusiasts can find themselves overwhelmed with the choice of casino sites. But, not all online casinos are built the same; just as with anything, there are good and bad. When looking for a suitable place to play keno or any other games, there are certain features that a player should look for. Whether you are an experienced casino player or a newbie on the casino scene, these are the essentials of any top-quality casino.

Security

The last thing a casino player needs when they want to play online is any unwelcome surprises. Sometimes their luck may be out in the games. Still, players can avoid other mishaps by ensuring they are protected by an authorized licensing body, such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). These authorities oversee their licensed casinos to ensure adequate internet security and protocols that protect players’ personal details. This also means they have to provide a fair gambling environment and reasonable withdrawal times.

Payout Times

Although the payment method can affect transaction times, it’s also important that top-quality casinos have processes in place so players can withdraw as quickly as possible. Nobody wants to wait weeks to receive their hard-played winnings. So, many casinos now offer players either instant withdrawals or fast withdrawals, which reach players’ accounts within a few hours. The casinos should also offer various payment options, from e-wallets to cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, and cards. Most importantly, transactions should be either low-fee or fee-free.

Game Conditions

A fantastic games selection is a good start for any good casino, but it doesn’t mean anything if the terms and conditions aren’t reasonable for the player. The rules for keno and other games can vary from casino to casino, so players will need to check if the gaming style suits their methods. Also, not every bonus or promotion is valid to play every game. So, players must check game conditions thoroughly to ensure they are fair and suitable.

Mobile Device Compatibility

The convenience of playing on the go means that mobile gaming is now one of the essential features of a casino. The best online casinos will offer keno and other games on both their PC site and mobile optimised site. Most casinos also have dedicated mobile apps, making it easier and more convenient for casino players. Casino games are specifically created to be played on touchscreens and mobile devices with smaller displays.

Stake Options

All players should have a budget and playing method when choosing to bet online. This means being aware of your stake limits and managing your bankroll for maximum enjoyment. Any high-calibreoptimized casino will have a wide range of betting options for players, from low-stakes to high stakes. However, some casinos and certain games within them may favour a particular betting style. So, players should check the minimum and maximum betting options for their favourite casino games.

Fair Wagering and RTP

Players choosing a new game or casino should browse the promotions to enhance their experience. Attractive promotions may not always be what they seem, though; it’s vital to check the terms and conditions of any bonus, including the wagering requirements and playthrough period. This includes looking at the games, as some live games will not count 100% towards the playthrough conditions. Nevertheless, the casinos we have listed are noted for offering reasonable promotions. Return to player (RTP) is also something to note when browsing selected games, as the higher it is, the higher the odds of winning.

Responsible Gambling

Finally, arguably the most critical aspect of playing in online casinos is gambling responsibly. Playing keno or any other online casino game is undoubtedly exciting, but it can sometimes be addictive. The best casinos have processes and dedicated teams to help players maintain a safe level of gambling. This can include gambling controls to set limits on their casino site. These limits could be for the deposit amounts, betting amounts, or time played. It’s also possible for players who realize they are too deep to self-exclude from playing online or take a break.

Keno Casino Bonuses

Although keno isn’t your standard casino game, players will be pleased to know that plenty of keno bonus options are available. Whether you are a new player or a long-term casino enthusiast, promotions can increase your gambling potential massively when used cleverly. As with any bonus, players must check the playthrough conditions and requirements to ensure they can meet them. Otherwise, the bonus is useless. That includes ensuring it’s valid for playing keno. When you select your casino, it may well be beneficial to add keno bonus, so let’s look at the common promotions you’ll find.

Match Bonuses

This is the most common style of bonus found in almost every casino. Usually, a casino will match the player’s deposit with a certain percentage up to a maximum amount. The capped amount will vary at different casinos, but the percentages will range from 100% to a massive 500% match. If a player deposits $100, for example, and the casino awards a 200% match bonus, the player will receive $200 in bonus money

The matched amount will be in bonus funds and has playthrough conditions before it can be withdrawn by the player, such as the 20x wagering requirement, which means it must be played through 20 times before winnings can be paid out. Using the example above, $4000 will need to be played through if the wagering is only on the bonus funds. When making a deposit, match bonuses can be found as reload bonuses for existing players or new players as a welcome bonus.

Welcome Bonus

When beginning a journey at any new casino, most players will have the option to use a welcome bonus, which is usually a type of match bonus. It’s often worth checking out a variety of casinos to see which has the most suitable welcome bonus. These sign-up bonuses also usually come with some extra free spins for players to use on the casino’s slot selection too.

Bonus Spins

Free spins, which are offered as part of a reload or welcome bonus, often have their own wagering conditions attached. They may be provided to use on a specific slot or across various slots on the casino site. Some casinos may even offer wager-free spins to players, but these are less common, and the winnings are generally low.

No-Deposit Bonuses

Promotions that don’t require a deposit are generally hard to find, but some casinos do have some attractive offers. They could be part of a sign-up bonus or for loyal players in a VIP program, but they come with wagering conditions as with most other bonuses. However, no deposit means that you are essentially playing with free money, so they are very worthwhile for players to use, especially if they are confident they can play through the wagering requirements to withdraw the winnings.

Cashback Bonuses

If your winning numbers don’t appear on the keno board, cashback bonuses may save you a percentage of your losses. Although these bonuses aren’t the most common, some casinos offer them both as welcome bonuses and for existing players. It acts as a safety net if luck isn’t with the player and pays back a percentage of the losses. This gives players a chance to stay in the game without depositing further funds and aids responsible gambling.

No-Wagering Bonus

This is the ultimate bonus for most players, although it can be tough to find. This promotion means that any match bonus or spins acquired are entirely free of wagering, so it’s possible to withdraw any winnings immediately without playthrough conditions. Of course, this is a favourite amongst casino enthusiasts but not consistently favourable for the casinos, so they rarely offer them. However, when players find these, they are very advantageous to the gambling experience.

Different Keno Types

The best keno casinos offer a range of different keno games. It still maintains the basic lottery-style game, but they each add keno bonus twists to the games. Some are based on the theme and design of the game, such as Caveman keno, but the most important types of keno for players to understand are the ticket types. Here we will break down the differences between the six types of tickets.

Straight Tickets

These are the most common type and the most simple. You simply choose your numbers and press play for the draw. Most casinos allow players to choose between 1 and 15 numbers on the board, but others allow more. The optimum amount is around 4-8 numbers as any less generally isn’t worth the payout, and above eight, your odds of matching all the numbers decrease drastically. The wagering amount for straight tickets can vary, with some casinos offering low ticket rates and others higher wager keno games.

Split Tickets

This is essentially two or more tickets that are played on the same draw. There isn’t any benefit to the split tickets; it just allows players to bet on the same draw using different numbers. Split tickets must not share numbers, and each one must be unique. There is a conception that because players choose more numbers, they have more chance of winning on split tickets. However, you still place your bets and pay for each ticket, so you may succeed with one ticket but still lose with the other. It all depends on whether luck is with you in the draw.

Way Tickets

There are a couple of reasons players may choose to play with way tickets. Firstly, because it’s a convenient way to play keno, and the second is because the wagering rates are lower when paying by way. It can be a more complicated way to play, but the convenience of having multiple games on one ticket may outweigh the difficulty. Way tickets essentially involve having different distinct bets on the same ticket. The payouts are generally the same, so if the fractional rates are confusing, it’s often better to stick to straight or split tickets.

Combination Tickets

This allows players to combine different straight bets on one ticket; it can also be a combination of different straight and way bets. This is different from the straight and split tickets as the combinations are grouped on a single ticket.

Special Tickets

Some select casinos offer special keno tickets with exciting payouts or deals. They are usually either to entice new players or for loyal keno fans. The payouts table may vary, or there could be special conditions for selecting numbers that offer extra-large jackpots for players.

King Tickets

One number is circled and referred to as the king on king tickets. It’s used in combination with other numbers on the ticket, and Kings will have special payouts as specified by the casino.

Keno Bet Types

This lottery game supposedly started in China as a popular pastime for the peasants, so it’s certainly a simple game for anyone to pick up. There isn’t a huge variety of betting options for players, but the beauty is in the simplicity of this game. You can choose your numbers, sit back and wait for the official winning numbers to draw. It’s a simple, exciting game of chance. There are a few different betting types for players to be aware of, so let’s look.

Straight Bet

These are the standard wagers in keno. Depending on how many numbers the casino allows you to choose and the payout table, you select your preferred set of numbers. Players are then paid out based on the numbers which match.

Way Bet

As opposed to straight bets, which are on individual numbers, way bets are placed on groups of numbers. It can be more complicated and potentially lowers your winning potential; you may choose a group of 3 numbers, yet if only one appears in the draw, you don’t get a payout. However, the payouts can be generous if your whole group is drawn.

Quick Pick

Choosing this option means the computer will select your numbers for you. Depending on how many spots you decide to play on, it will be a random selection of numbers on the keno board. Players may choose randomly generated numbers every time or have the computer pick the numbers the first time and continue in consecutive draws with those numbers.

Top/Bottom Bets

Some casinos offer these bets as part of special tickets. Instead of choosing specific numbers, such as on a straight ticket, players will select numbers either only from the top 40 or the bottom 40 numbers. This bet may also be possible without specifically choosing the numbers. A special wager allows players to specify if they believe all numbers will be drawn from the highest 40 or lowest 40.

Best Strategies to Win at Keno

When any player begins a new casino game, they often wonder about the strategies available to get an advantage in the game. Now that you’ve seen how to play keno and the different bets available, I am sure you have concluded that this lottery-style game is really just a game of luck. Online keno games are based on random number generators (RNGs), so there aren’t any specific strategies or patterns you can deduce during play. The simplicity of the game is both its biggest attraction, but it could be seen as a downfall strategy-wise.

However, there are some things that players can keep in mind; we can say these are game strategies of sorts. Still, essentially this is how to play responsibly to get the maximum enjoyment and minimize losses when playing keno.

Check the Odds

This is the most important “skill” for any keno player; knowing the odds of winning and checking the paytable will help your game. The amount of numbers that you pick and expect to match in the draw is controlled by the odds. The optimum range for choosing numbers is between 4 and 8 for a twenty-number keno draw. Of course, the odds are high for choosing less than four numbers, but the payout wouldn’t be worth it. However, the chance of selecting eight matching numbers is around 1 in 20. This jumps up dramatically to 1 in 60 when choosing nine numbers, and as you can imagine, choosing 15 matchings is extremely unlikely.

If you really want to play with the best odds for winning, then choosing 4 or 5 numbers gives you odds of 4:1. Skilled players will remain around this range when selecting their keno numbers. Those who choose a high number, such as 15 or 20, are shooting for the stars and expecting a meteor shower; it’s once in a lifetime.

Re-use your Numbers

Once players have gotten to grips with the odds and the paytable, it’s common to start thinking of how to up your chances with the number selections. It’s crucial to remember that keno is simply a game of chance, based on an RNG, so there isn’t a strict algorithm that players can predict. Of course, players often want to keep their same numbers, so you can re-use your numbers for a few games if you please. However, to keep the game fresh, players can change their numbers periodically. There isn’t any scientific evidence showing that you will miss out on a number if you switch.

Play at a Reputable Casino

It’s vital to choose a licensed and trusted casino when playing any casino game, but your overall enjoyment will be linked to the quality of your keno casino. Choosing a casino with a good selection of different keno varieties and fair conditions will affect your gameplay for the better. Quality casinos, such as the ones we have individually reviewed, will offer visually pleasing and stimulating games which give a fantastic casino experience overall.

Know your Limits

It can be easy to get caught up in a string of losses when gambling, but it’s essential to keep in mind that keno is a game of chance. Players should always have a budget when playing casino games, especially something fast-paced like keno. As it’s based on RNG, it isn’t beneficial to players to chase their losses. Instead, give yourself a specific limit of money and time for each keno session you sit down to. As the game is so effortless and straightforward, you don’t want to get lost and lose track of spending. If you aren’t sure what your budget should be, or you believe you may be overspending, there are responsible gambling experts that can advise you.

Keno House Edge and RTP

The house edge and return to player (RTP) for keno rely entirely on the number of spots a player chooses on their ticket. This is because matching the specific numbers depends on how many numbers you choose and how likely it is to match that amount.

When beginning any keno game, players can check the payout table to see what the casino offers. Generally, you are looking for casinos with the best payouts when choosing between 4 to 8 numbers, as these are the likeliest to match.

Although the rules are pretty much the same, there isn’t a universal RTP for keno games. So even if you are a keno maestro, you will still need to check the RTP for every new keno game you play. On average, the RTP for a five-number game will be around 93%, although this can go up to as much as 96% for some seven-number games. That’s why you must check the paytable when beginning play.

Keno Deposits and Withdrawals

To begin playing keno, you’ll need to make your first deposit at the casino. At the top casinos, players can add money to their casino account using a massive range of deposit options such as card, bank transfer, e-wallets, crypto, and more. Choose your preferred transaction method, input the amount you wish to add, and your funds will be in your account in no time.

Withdrawals work similarly; some casinos may require you to use the same withdrawal method you used to deposit funds. In which case, you can go to your casino account and select withdrawal and the amount required. Again, the transaction times for keno’s withdrawals depend on the casino you choose. Some will have instant withdrawals on selected payment methods, and others may take a couple of days.

Players should also know any promotions when making their deposit, as wagering conditions may apply. Before you add a bonus offer, you should check the requirements to ensure it is valid for the keno games you want to play and that you can meet the terms stated.

Live Dealer Keno

The popularity of keno has given rise to many software developers creating live versions of this lottery game. This means even more excitement as players choose their numbers and wait for the winning numbers to roll into place. Instead of the digital platform, you’ll get the glamour of a land-based casino right on your screen.

The Advantage of Playing Keno Live

Playing live keno certainly ups the excitement from your standard keno games. Players can watch in anticipation as numbers tumble into place and the live dealer announces each one from the dedicated studio. It’s generally slower-paced but more exciting than the standard version as players have more time to choose their numbers, and the drawing process takes slightly longer too. The edge of your seat entertainment is worth the wait, though!

Of course, one of the most significant differences (and arguably advantages) is that live dealer keno doesn’t use RNG. You have a live dealer operating the keno machine, which draws the winning numbers! The game keeps its simplicity, and luck is still involved, making the game more immersive.

Playing Keno Live on a Mobile

Having a live dealer to play keno isn’t just a luxury for computer users; plenty of casinos offer stunning keno studios that can be streamed right onto your mobile device as well. This means that keno is available on the go, from wherever and whenever.

Play Keno Live for Real Money vs Free Keno

The fundamentals of keno remain the same for free games and live dealer versions; however, the similarities stop there. Free keno is generally for players to get to grips with the odds and how the paytables work. Although it can be fun to play, the real excitement with live dealer keno is the professional drawing of the numbers and the real prize jackpots for players.

Keno Casino Safety

Staying safe at keno casinos is very important, and the number one way to do that is by choosing a reliable casino, such as the ones included on our list. Casinos should be licensed and have the necessary security to keep players’ details safe.

However, players also need to take care of their own financial transactions and have limits in place. This will ensure that players gamble responsibly and can continue enjoying their favourite casino games without any issues.