An independent resource for keno players who want to understand the game they're playing.
KenoSpots is an independent informational resource for keno players. We provide odds calculators, payout analysis tools, educational guides, and state-specific information to help players understand the game they're playing before and while they play it.
We are not affiliated with any lottery commission, casino operator, gambling company, or online gaming platform. We don't sell lottery tickets, accept wagers, or facilitate gambling of any kind. We're a reference site — think of us as the Wirecutter of keno information.
Informed players make better decisions.
Keno has a significant house edge — typically 20–35%. That's not a secret, but it's also not prominently advertised at the point of sale. Most players don't know the exact odds of hitting their spot count's jackpot, or what their true expected return is per dollar wagered. Many don't know that paytables vary meaningfully between states and casinos.
We want to change that. Whether you're curious about the math behind keno, trying to find the best paytable in your state, or just want to know what "playing 6-spot" actually means in terms of probability — we want to give you the tools to play with your eyes open.
Understanding the true odds of a game doesn't ruin the fun — it enhances it. Knowing that a 10-spot jackpot is 1 in 8.9 million makes hitting it feel even more remarkable. Knowing your expected return helps you budget responsibly and enjoy the game as entertainment rather than chase it as income.
Our odds calculators use the hypergeometric distribution — the standard and correct mathematical model for keno probability. The formula:
P(k matches) = C(N, k) × C(80−N, 20−k) / C(80, 20)
Where N is the number of spots you picked, k is the number of matches, and C(n,r) is the combinatorial "n choose r" function. This formula gives exact probabilities — not estimates or simulations.
We use logarithmic arithmetic to handle the extremely large numbers involved (C(80,20) is over 3.5 quadrillion) without floating-point overflow errors.
Paytable data on this site is sourced from publicly available lottery and casino information. Paytables can and do change — state lotteries occasionally update their pay structures, and casino paytables vary by property.
Always verify paytable information with your state lottery's official website or the casino floor before playing. KenoSpots makes no guarantee that paytable data is current or complete. We update our data as we become aware of changes, but we cannot monitor every jurisdiction in real time.
KenoSpots.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We do not facilitate gambling. We do not provide gambling advice in the sense of recommending wagers. All content is intended to educate players about the mathematical structure of keno games.
Gambling involves financial risk. The house edge in keno means that, over time, players will lose money. No information on this site changes that mathematical fact. Please gamble only with money you can afford to lose, and only where gambling is legal in your jurisdiction.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please visit our Responsible Gambling page for resources and support.
Found an error in our paytable data? Have a question about the site? We welcome corrections and feedback. You can reach us through the contact form on this site. We read every message, though response times vary.