Comparison

Keno in Australia: How to Play, Odds and Paytables

How to play keno in Australia: rules, real odds for 1 to 10 spots, paytables and house edge, Heads or Tails maths, venue vs online keno and what the law says.

By John BrokowskiFact-checked by Lilly Von BroughUpdated 8 Oct 202611 min read

Market: Australia

Disclosure We may earn a commission if you use our links. It never changes our ratings or the order of a list. Editorial policy

Keno is a number-draw game: you pick between 1 and 10 numbers (your “spots”) from a field of 80, the game draws 20, and you are paid according to how many of your numbers come up. In Australia the classic version runs in pubs, clubs and on licensed state apps, with a new draw roughly every three minutes, while offshore online casinos offer faster RNG keno that no Australian regulator licenses.

G’day from the Casino Bros. Keno is the game you play with a schooner in one hand and a crayon in the other, and it rarely gets the respect it deserves. Below we cover how a ticket works, the real odds for every spot count (worked out from the maths, not guessed), why the house edge on keno is higher than on almost anything else in a venue, how the Australian state games differ from online keno, and what the law says about playing keno on the internet from Australia. If you are comparing games, our Australian casino games hub covers the rest of the table.

Keno in Australia: The Legal Picture First

Keno sits in an unusual spot under Australian law. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) bans online casino games for Australians, but section 8D carves out “excluded lottery services”. Under section 8D(1A) and (1B), an internet lottery only keeps that status if it is a kind allowed by the Interactive Gambling Regulations, and the regulations can exclude “a highly repetitive or frequently drawn form of a keno-type lottery”. In practice that means state-licensed keno, drawn no more often than every three minutes, can be sold online, while instant RNG keno cannot.

The federal government’s Review into the regulation of online keno and foreign-matched lotteries (dated January 2026, published 25 February 2026) found that online keno, as an excluded lottery service, sits outside the credit card ban and outside BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. It recommended banning credit card payments for online keno and extending BetStop to it. Licensed online keno providers it listed operate under licences from Victoria, the ACT and the Northern Territory.

Offshore casinos are a different matter. Offering online casino games, including RNG keno, to people in Australia is an offence for the operator under the IGA, not for the player. The ACMA has had 1,822 illegal gambling sites blocked since November 2019 (as of 24 September 2026). Offshore sites hold no Australian licence, BetStop does not cover them, and if a dispute goes wrong you have no Australian regulator to complain to. Our guide to safer casino choices explains how to check a site before you deposit.

Credit cards have been banned for licensed online wagering since 11 June 2024, and POLi closed in Australia on 30 September 2023, so ignore any older guide that suggests either one for keno deposits.

How to Play Keno, Step by Step

Choose your spots. Mark between 1 and 10 numbers on the 80-number grid. The number you pick is your “spot” count, so five numbers is a Spot 5 game.
Set your stake. In the Australian venue game the minimum for Keno Classic is $1 a game. Online RNG keno usually starts from a few cents.
Pick how many games. You can play the same numbers for consecutive draws. In a venue that is a multi-game ticket; online it is often called autoplay.
Watch the draw. Twenty numbers are drawn from 80. Every one of your numbers that appears is a “catch” or “match”.
Check the paytable. Your prize depends on two things only: how many spots you played and how many you caught. More spots means bigger top prizes but longer odds.

Quick picks (letting the terminal choose random numbers) have exactly the same odds as numbers you choose. Lucky numbers, birthdays and “hot” numbers from the last few draws make no difference, because every draw is independent.

Keno Odds by Spots Picked

Keno odds are pure combinatorics. With 20 numbers drawn from 80, the chance of catching a given number of your spots follows the hypergeometric distribution. The figures below are calculated directly from that formula, so they apply to any standard 80-ball keno game, venue or online.

Spots played	Chance to catch all your spots	Odds of catching all	Chance to catch none
1	25.00%	1 in 4	75.00%
2	6.01%	1 in 17	56.01%
3	1.39%	1 in 72	41.65%
4	0.31%	1 in 326	30.83%
5	0.065%	1 in 1,551	22.72%
6	0.013%	1 in 7,753	16.66%
7	0.0024%	1 in 40,979	12.16%
8	0.0004%	1 in 230,115	8.83%
9	0.00007%	1 in 1,380,688	6.37%
10	0.00001%	1 in 8,911,711	4.58%

Look at the Spot 10 row. Catching all ten is roughly a one-in-nine-million event, which is why the 10-spot prize is the one carrying the jackpot in the Australian game. It also explains why some keno paytables pay a small prize for catching zero on high-spot games: catching none of ten happens 4.58% of the time, so it is a cheap promotion for the operator.

Full Catch Probabilities for Popular Spot Counts

Most players stick to between 4 and 8 spots. Here is how often each result lands for those games.

Catch	Spot 4	Spot 5	Spot 6	Spot 7	Spot 8
0	30.83%	22.72%	16.66%	12.16%	8.83%
1	43.27%	40.57%	36.35%	31.52%	26.65%
2	21.26%	27.05%	30.83%	32.67%	32.81%
3	4.32%	8.39%	12.98%	17.50%	21.48%
4	0.31%	1.21%	2.85%	5.22%	8.15%
5	–	0.065%	0.31%	0.86%	1.83%
6	–	–	0.013%	0.073%	0.24%
7	–	–	–	0.0024%	0.016%
8	–	–	–	–	0.0004%

One practical takeaway: on a Spot 8 game you catch two or fewer about 68% of the time. Most tickets lose, and the game relies on rare mid-sized hits to keep you interested.

Keno Paytables and the House Edge

Odds alone do not tell you what a game is worth. The paytable does. To work out the return to player (RTP) of any keno game, multiply each prize by its probability from the tables above, add them up and divide by the stake. Whatever is left over is the house edge.

A Worked Example

Take a single-number game (Spot 1). You win 25% of the time. If the paytable returns $3 for a $1 bet on a catch, the RTP is 0.25 x 3 = 75%, so the house keeps 25 cents of every dollar over time. If an online version returns $3.80 instead, the RTP climbs to 95%. Same odds, very different game. That is why the paytable is the first thing to check, not the jackpot.

Why Keno Costs More Than Other Games

Venue keno has always been one of the dearest games in the house. When the NSW pricing tribunal IPART reviewed gaming in 1998, Keno’s licence condition required an average return of 75% of turnover to players, against 85% minimum returns for NSW poker machines at the time. Compare that with blackjack played well, where the edge can drop below 1% (see our blackjack basic strategy guide), or the 2.70% edge on single-zero roulette covered in our roulette guide.

Online RNG keno is usually cheaper than venue keno, but the RTP varies a lot between providers and even between spot counts in the same game. Every licensed game provider publishes the RTP in the game’s help or info screen. Open it before you play and pick the spot count with the highest figure.

Australian Keno Game Types

The Keno brand you see in pubs and clubs in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT is run by The Lottery Corporation group, which was demerged from Tabcorp in 2022. Rules and products differ slightly by state, so treat this as an overview and check the venue’s game guide.

Game	How it works	Key numbers
Keno Classic	Pick 1 to 10 spots and get paid on catches	Minimum $1 a game; 10-spot jackpot from $1 million on a $1 game (Queensland game guide)
Heads or Tails	Bet whether more of the 20 numbers land in the top half (1 to 40) or the bottom half (41 to 80), or that they split 10 and 10 (Evens)	Heads or Tails pays 2 times the stake; Evens pays 4 times
Keno Bonus	Optional add-on that can multiply a Keno Classic prize	Multipliers of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times
Keno Mega Millions	Higher-priced game on the same draw with a larger headline jackpot	$2 a game; jackpot opportunity of $5 million (Queensland game guide)
Keno Racing	Racing-themed game played on the same draw	Has its own jackpot category in the NSW rules

Jackpots are not fixed amounts. The game rules allow jackpots to be shared between winning tickets and reduced (abated) when prize liability limits are reached, so the advertised figure is a ceiling, not a promise.

The Maths Behind Heads or Tails

Heads or Tails looks like a coin flip, but it is not 50/50. With 20 numbers drawn from 80, an exact 10 and 10 split happens 20.32% of the time. That leaves 39.84% for Heads and 39.84% for Tails. At 2 times the stake, a Heads bet returns about 79.7% over the long run; at 4 times, Evens returns about 81.3%. Both are better than a typical Spot 1 venue paytable but still well below most table games.

Keno in Venues vs Keno Online

Feature	State-licensed keno (venue or licensed app)	RNG keno at offshore online casinos
Legal status in Australia	Licensed by the state or territory	Not licensed in Australia; offering it here is an offence for the operator
Draw speed	About every three minutes; a shared draw for all players	Instant; a new draw every time you press play
Return to player	Historically about 75% for NSW Keno (IPART, 1998)	Varies by provider; published in the game info screen
Jackpots	Large pooled jackpots (Spot 10 from $1 million, Mega Millions up to $5 million)	Fixed top prizes, usually far smaller
Player protection	State rules, approved game guides, complaint routes	Offshore licence only; no Australian regulator, BetStop does not apply
Speed risk	Slower pace limits how much you can lose per hour	Fast play means losses can add up quickly

The speed point matters more than most players realise. A venue draw every three minutes gives you about 20 games an hour. RNG keno can easily run 300 or more rounds an hour if you click quickly, so the same house edge eats your bankroll many times faster. The three-minute rule in the IGA regulations exists for exactly this reason.

Keno Strategy: What Actually Helps

No betting system changes keno odds. The draw is random and has no memory, so tracking “hot” and “cold” numbers is entertainment, not strategy. Here is what does make a difference:

Compare paytables before you play. The same spot count can carry a very different RTP from one game to the next.
Choose your spot count on value, not dreams. Online, the RTP often differs by spot count. Pick the best-returning one.
Know the jackpot rules. Venue jackpots can be shared and abated, and some require a minimum stake.
Set a session budget and a time limit. Slow venue draws help; fast online rounds do the opposite.
Treat bonuses with care. Many casino bonuses weight keno at a low contribution rate or exclude it, so wagering a bonus on keno can take far longer than on pokies.

New to casino games altogether? Our list of the easiest games for Australian gambling newbies puts keno in context with pokies, roulette and baccarat.

Offshore Casinos That Accept Australian Players

If you still choose to play at an offshore casino, the brands below accepted Australians when we checked their Australian sites and terms on 8 October 2026. None of them holds an Australian licence. RNG keno and other number games, where offered, usually sit in the instant-win section of the lobby, and the selection changes, so check the lobby and the game’s RTP before depositing.

The shortlist

Terms checked 8 Oct 2026 · How we rate

1
Goldex Casino
Welcome package up to $57,000 + 500 free spins over several deposits (Australian site, 8 Oct 2026)
- Australia is not on the restricted-country list in its terms (8 Oct 2026)
- Instant-win section in the lobby
- Weekly cashback offer
★ 4.2/5 · Licence: Curaçao Gaming Authority OGL/2024/161/0191 (Stable Tech N.V.)
Visit site Read review18+. New players. First deposit: 100% up to €2,000 or equivalent, min €20, 40x wagering. T&Cs apply.
2
JE
Jet4Bet Casino
Welcome package up to $22,500 + 350 free spins over four deposits (Australian site, 8 Oct 2026)
- Australia is not on the restricted-country list in its terms (8 Oct 2026)
- Casino and sportsbook in one account
- Bonus terms published in AUD
★ 3.8/5 · Licence: Curaçao Gaming Authority OGL/2024/161/0191 (Stable Tech N.V.)
Visit site Read review18+. New players. First deposit: 100% up to A$3,000 + 100 free spins, min A$30, 40x wagering within 7 days. T&Cs apply.

Full write-ups sit in our Australian casino reviews. Read the bonus terms before you opt in: both brands apply 40x wagering on the first-deposit bonus, and card games carry a 5% wagering contribution in their bonus rules.

Keno Terms Worth Knowing

Spot: a number you pick. A Spot 6 game means six numbers.
Catch: one of your spots that is drawn.
Paytable: the prize schedule for each spot and catch combination.
Way ticket or combination: a ticket that groups numbers so several spot games play at once.
Abatement: the rule that reduces jackpot payouts when total prize liability in one game is exceeded.
RTP: the long-run share of stakes returned as prizes.

For the full global version of the rules with more history, see our how to play keno guide, and for local lingo like “having a punt” check our Australian gambling slang glossary.

Play Keno Responsibly

Keno is cheap per ticket, which makes it easy to play more than you planned. Set a limit before you start and stop when you reach it. Free, confidential help is available 24/7 from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or at gamblinghelponline.org.au. BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, lets you exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers in one step; it does not currently cover online keno or offshore casinos. More tools are on our responsible gaming page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does keno work in Australia?

You pick between 1 and 10 numbers from 1 to 80, the game draws 20 numbers, and you win according to how many of your numbers are drawn. In pubs, clubs and licensed state apps a new draw runs roughly every three minutes.

Is online keno legal in Australia?

State-licensed keno can be offered online because the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 treats it as an excluded lottery service, provided it is not a frequently drawn keno-type game. The licensed online providers operate under Victorian, ACT and Northern Territory licences. Instant RNG keno at offshore casinos is not licensed in Australia, and offering it to Australians is an offence for the operator.

What are the best odds in keno?

The chance of catching your numbers is highest on low spot counts: one spot hits 25% of the time. What really matters is the paytable, because it sets the return to player. Compare the RTP shown in the game info and pick the spot count with the highest figure.

What are the odds of hitting all 10 numbers in keno?

About 1 in 8.9 million (1 in 8,911,711) with 20 numbers drawn from 80. That is why the Spot 10 prize carries the jackpot in the Australian Keno Classic game.

What is the house edge on keno?

It depends on the paytable. Venue keno has historically returned about 75% of turnover in NSW, a 25% house edge, according to IPART’s 1998 gaming inquiry. Online RNG keno usually returns more, and each game publishes its RTP in the info screen.

How does Heads or Tails keno work?

You bet on whether more of the 20 drawn numbers fall in the top half (1 to 40) or the bottom half (41 to 80), or that they split evenly. Heads or Tails pays 2 times the stake and Evens pays 4 times. An even 10 and 10 split happens about 20.3% of the time.

Does BetStop cover keno?

Not at the moment. Online keno is an excluded lottery service, so it sits outside BetStop. The February 2026 federal review recommended extending BetStop to online keno. BetStop also does not cover offshore casinos.