Quick answerOnline keno is a lottery-style casino game: you pick up to 10 (sometimes 15 or 20) numbers from 1 to 80, the game draws 20, and you are paid by how many of your numbers match. Casino keno usually returns 90–95%, less than most slots and far less than blackjack; provincial lottery keno draws return less still. Online scratch cards are instant games where you reveal symbols to find a prize, often with RTPs of 90–96%. Both are quick and easy, but they are poor games for clearing bonuses. Play for real money only at licensed casinos; in Ontario and Alberta, at registered sites.
Best casinos for online keno and scratch cards
- LeoVegas 8.4/10 · MGA · payout 1–3 days · min deposit C$10 · 100% to C$1,500 + 300 FS over 3 deposits
- Casumo 8.2/10 · MGA · payout 1–3 days · min deposit C$10 · 100% to C$2,000 + 99 FS
- Rexbet 8.2/10 · Curaçao · payout ≤24h · min deposit C$10 · 200% to C$500 + 50 FS
- Merlin Casino 8.2/10 · Curaçao · payout ≤24h · min deposit C$30 · Wager-free welcome up to C$1,200 + 300 FS
- Frumzi 8.1/10 · MGA · payout 1–3 days · min deposit C$10 · 100% to C$750 + 200 FS
These casinos list keno and instant games among the 165 we review. Availability varies, so check the lobby's "instant" or "specialty games" section.
How online keno works
- Choose your bet per draw.
- Pick your numbers (the "spots"): usually 1 to 10, from a board of 1–80. Many games have a "quick pick" button.
- The game draws 20 numbers at random.
- You are paid according to how many of your picks were drawn ("catches"), using the pay table for the number of spots you picked.
- Repeat the draw with the same numbers, or play several draws automatically.
Keno pay tables and odds
The pay table changes with the number of spots you pick. For example, the chance of catching all your numbers:
| Spots picked | Chance of catching all |
|---|
| 1 | 1 in 4 |
| 2 | 1 in 16.6 |
| 3 | 1 in 72 |
| 4 | 1 in 326 |
| 5 | 1 in 1,551 |
| 6 | 1 in 7,753 |
| 8 | 1 in 230,115 |
| 10 | 1 in 8,911,711 |
Big prizes for catching 8, 9 or 10 numbers are rare, which is why the pay tables can offer large multiples. Every pay table includes a house edge; check the game's rules for its RTP.
Keno RTP
Online casino keno typically returns 90–95%, with some games higher. The RTP can differ by the number of spots you pick, so read the help screen. Compared with other games:
- Keno: 90–95%.
- Slots: 94–97%.
- European roulette: 97.3%.
- Blackjack with basic strategy: about 99.5%.
Keno strategy
Keno is pure chance. A few choices help you manage it:
- Pick a moderate number of spots (4–8) if you want a balance of hit frequency and prize size.
- Check the pay table and RTP for each spot count.
- Set a draw limit when using auto play; keno draws are fast online.
There are no lucky numbers, hot numbers or patterns: each draw is independent.
Online keno vs lottery keno
Provincial lotteries run keno draws, such as OLG's Daily Keno in Ontario, with results published online. These are lottery products with fixed draw times and their own prize structures, generally with lower returns than casino keno. Online casino keno draws instantly whenever you play. Both are legal; they are different products.
Online scratch cards
Online scratch cards are instant-win games: you buy a card, "scratch" (click) to reveal symbols, and win if you match a prize pattern. Features:
- Prices from about C$0.10 to C$20 per card.
- RTPs typically 90–96%, shown in the game rules.
- Themes from classic matching games to cards based on popular slots.
- Instant results: each card is resolved in seconds.
Scratch cards are simple and fun for a few rounds, but they offer little control and a modest RTP.
Keno and scratch card apps
Keno and scratch cards run in mobile browsers and casino apps. Be careful with standalone "keno apps that pay real money": many are social or rewards apps, not licensed casinos, and their prizes may not be cash. Use a licensed casino's app. See casino apps.
Is online keno rigged?
At licensed casinos, no. Keno draws and scratch card outcomes use certified random number generators tested by independent labs. In Ontario and Alberta, games are certified before they go live. Avoid unlicensed apps; see our legit online casinos guide.
Is online keno legal in Canada?
Yes. Casino keno is offered at registered Ontario and Alberta sites and at licensed casinos elsewhere; provincial lotteries also run keno draws. See casinos by province.
Keno, scratch cards and bonuses
Keno and scratch cards often count 100% toward wagering at some casinos and are excluded at others. Their lower RTP makes them an expensive way to clear a bonus compared with a high RTP slot. Read the terms; see wagering requirements and high RTP slots.
Keno vs bingo
Both draw numbers at random, but in keno you choose your numbers and play alone against a pay table, while in bingo you play cards against other players for shared prizes. Bingo prizes depend on the number of players and the rules of each room.
Keno glossary
- Spot: a number you pick.
- Catch: one of your numbers that is drawn.
- Quick pick: random selection of your spots.
- Pay table: the prizes for each number of catches.
Example keno draw
You pick 5 numbers, 7, 18, 33, 41 and 62, and bet C$1. The game draws 20 numbers, and three of yours (7, 33 and 62) are among them. On a typical 5-spot pay table, 3 catches pays a small multiple of your bet, 4 catches a larger one and 5 catches the top prize. If only one or two match, you usually win nothing. The exact multiples vary from game to game, so open the pay table for your spot count before you play.
How often keno pays
The chance of catching at least some of your numbers is higher than the "catch all" odds suggest. With 5 spots, you catch 3 or more about 1 time in 10 draws, and with 1 spot, your number comes up 1 time in 4. Pay tables are built so that the frequent small catches return little and the rare big catches carry most of the value.
Keno games online
Casinos carry keno from several providers, often with themes: IGT's Cleopatra Keno adds a free games feature in which wins are doubled, and other versions add multipliers or bonus balls. The basic rules stay the same: pick numbers, 20 are drawn, the pay table decides the prize.
Keno budgeting tips
Keno draws can run every few seconds online, so a C$1 bet can turn into C$300 an hour on auto play. Decide how many draws you will play before you start, and stop there whether you are up or down. Lower bets across more draws give a longer, steadier session than a few large ones. Many keno games also let you set a loss limit and a single-win limit for auto play; use both.
Keno vs slots vs scratch cards
| Game | Typical RTP | Pace | Decisions |
|---|
| Keno | 90–95% | Fast | Pick numbers |
| Scratch cards | 90–96% | Very fast | None |
| Slots | 94–97% | Fast | None |
| Roulette | 97.3% (European) | Medium | Choose bets |
If you like keno's number picking but want better odds, European roulette is the closest table game. If you like instant results, crash games offer higher RTPs, though with very quick rounds.
Play responsibly
Fast draws and auto play can spend a budget quickly. Set a draw limit and a loss limit. Free help: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600, or call or text 9-8-8 anywhere in Canada.
