California has no state lottery keno game — but dozens of tribal casinos across the state offer live keno lounges and video keno machines. Here's where to find keno in California.
No. The California State Lottery does not offer a rapid-draw keno game. While California Lottery operates Scratchers, Powerball, Mega Millions, SuperLotto Plus, and other draw games, lottery keno — the kind you play every 3–5 minutes at a gas station or bar — is not part of the California Lottery's game portfolio.
California law has historically drawn a distinction between lottery-style games and casino-style gaming. Rapid-draw keno, with its frequent draw cycles and casino-lounge feel, has not been authorized for the California Lottery. Keno in California exists exclusively through tribal gaming compacts and, in some cases, card rooms.
The California State Lottery is a state-run entity governed by the California Lottery Act. Tribal casinos operate under separate gaming compacts negotiated between individual tribes and the state under IGRA (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act). These are entirely separate regulatory frameworks — which is why tribes can offer keno even though the state lottery cannot.
California is home to over 60 tribal gaming operations, making it one of the largest tribal casino markets in the United States. Many of these casinos offer keno in some form — either as a traditional live keno lounge or as video keno machines on the gaming floor.
Larger tribal casinos in California are more likely to have dedicated keno lounges with live draws. These include:
Note: Keno availability changes. Always call ahead or check the casino's website to confirm keno is currently offered before making a trip.
Many California tribal casinos that don't maintain a full keno lounge still offer video keno machines on the gaming floor. Video keno plays like live keno — you pick numbers, the machine draws, and you win based on matches — but it's a solo electronic experience rather than a communal draw.
Video keno machines at California tribal casinos typically offer:
California also has a unique card room industry — standalone card clubs that are licensed separately from tribal casinos. Some California card rooms may offer keno-adjacent games, though the primary focus of card rooms is poker and other card-based games. Card rooms operate under different rules than tribal casinos and are subject to California's card room gaming regulations.
Tribal casino keno in California follows the standard keno format:
If you've never visited a keno lounge, here's what to expect at a California tribal casino:
| Feature | CA Tribal Casino Keno | State Lottery Keno (other states) |
|---|---|---|
| Draw frequency | Every 5–15 min (live) | Every 3.5–4 min |
| Number field | 80 numbers | 80 numbers |
| Numbers drawn | 20 numbers | 20 numbers (22 in MI) |
| Where to play | Tribal casino only | Any licensed retailer |
| House edge | Varies by casino (often 20–30%) | ~25–30% |
| Atmosphere | Casino lounge | Bar/restaurant/convenience store |
Each tribal casino sets its own keno paytables. The same spot count can pay very differently at different California casinos. Before you play, ask for the printed paytable and compare it to what you see here.
Not every California tribal casino offers keno, and some that did in the past have discontinued it. Call the casino's gaming floor before making a trip specifically for keno.
If the live keno lounge has infrequent draws or long waits, video keno on the casino floor is faster and lets you play at your own pace. The math is similar; the experience is more solo.
Calculate exact probabilities for any spot count — works for California tribal casino keno with standard 80-number, 20-draw format.
Calculate OddsWashington also relies on tribal casino keno rather than a state lottery game. See how the two states compare.
WA Tribal KenoSee the full map of state lottery keno, tribal-only keno, and states with no keno at all.
Keno by StateCalculate exact probability for any spot count — works for California keno and any keno game.
Calculate OddsEnter your bet to see expected payouts and compare paytables.
Calculate Payouts