Complete guide to Maryland Lottery Keno — how to play, the Bonus option, draw schedule, odds for every spot count, paytables, and where to play keno across Maryland.
Maryland Keno is operated by the Maryland Lottery and draws every 3.5 minutes — faster than the standard 4-minute cycle used in most other states. Players pick 1–10 spots from the numbers 1–80, and 20 numbers are drawn each game. Maryland Keno is available at thousands of licensed lottery retailers throughout the state, including convenience stores, gas stations, bars, restaurants, and other locations displaying the Maryland Lottery logo.
Maryland's keno draws are also broadcast on in-venue monitors at bars and restaurants, making it a popular social lottery game throughout the state. The optional Bonus add-on gives players a chance to multiply their winnings for a small additional cost.
Pick 1–10 numbers from 1–80 at any licensed Maryland Lottery keno retailer. Choose your wager amount and whether to add the Bonus option. Every 3.5 minutes, 20 winning numbers are drawn. You win based on how many of your selections match the drawn numbers, according to the paytable for your chosen spot count.
Maryland Keno's Bonus is an optional multiplier add-on that costs extra per draw. When Bonus is activated on your ticket, a multiplier (typically 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x) is randomly selected for each draw. If you win a non-jackpot prize, your payout is multiplied by that value.
Key things to know about the Bonus option:
Maryland Keno draws every approximately 3.5 minutes, making it one of the faster state lottery keno games. That's roughly 17 draws per hour — more than the 15 draws per hour in 4-minute states. If you're playing $1 per draw, that's $17/hour minimum in wagers, so budgeting is important.
Faster draws mean more action per hour — but also more money wagered per hour. From a mathematical standpoint, the draw speed doesn't change your per-draw odds or expected return. What it changes is how quickly you cycle through your session budget. Faster draws can accelerate both wins and losses compared to slower-draw states.
Payouts below are for a $1 base bet without Bonus. Add Bonus to potentially multiply non-jackpot winnings.
| Catches | Payout ($1 bet) | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 catches | — | 30.83% | 1 in 3.2 |
| 1 catch | — | 43.27% | 1 in 2.3 |
| 2 catches | $1 | 21.26% | 1 in 4.7 |
| 3 catches | $5 | 4.32% | 1 in 23 |
| 4 catches | $80 | 0.31% | 1 in 326 |
| Catches | Payout ($1 bet) | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 catches | — | 83.82% | — |
| 3 catches | $1 | 12.98% | 1 in 7.7 |
| 4 catches | $4 | 2.85% | 1 in 35 |
| 5 catches | $80 | 0.31% | 1 in 323 |
| 6 catches | $1,500 | 0.013% | 1 in 7,753 |
| Catches | Payout ($1 bet) | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 catches | — | 97.45% | — |
| 5 catches | $10 | 1.83% | 1 in 55 |
| 6 catches | $65 | 0.24% | 1 in 423 |
| 7 catches | $1,700 | 0.017% | 1 in 6,232 |
| 8 catches | $18,000 | 0.00043% | 1 in 230,115 |
| Catches | Payout ($1 bet) | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 catches | — | 94.79% | — |
| 5 catches | $2 | 6.70% | 1 in 15 |
| 6 catches | $15 | 1.60% | 1 in 63 |
| 7 catches | $100 | 0.23% | 1 in 621 |
| 8 catches | $500 | 0.023% | 1 in 7,384 |
| 9 catches | $5,000 | 0.0012% | 1 in 163,381 |
| 10 catches | $100,000 | 0.0000112% | 1 in 8,911,711 |
Maryland Keno is available at thousands of licensed Maryland Lottery retailers statewide, including:
Major keno hubs include Baltimore and its suburbs, Annapolis, Frederick, Hagerstown, and the Eastern Shore cities. The Maryland Lottery's website includes a retailer finder to locate the nearest keno-licensed location.
Check Maryland Keno results through the official Maryland Lottery website or mobile app. The app lets you scan tickets to check for wins and find nearby retailers. Online ticket purchasing for keno is not available in Maryland — all play is in person at licensed retailers.
At 3.5-minute draws, Maryland Keno is faster than most states. If you're accustomed to a 4-minute game, your session budget will go about 14% faster in Maryland. Adjust your per-draw wager accordingly.
Maryland Keno paytables are available at licensed retailers. Always confirm the current paytable for your spot count before playing — paytables can be updated by the lottery.
If you're in the DC metro area, you're within reach of both Maryland Keno and DC Keno. The games are structurally similar but have different paytables. Compare them using our payout calculator before choosing where to play.
Calculate exact probabilities for any spot count — works with Maryland Keno's standard 80-number, 20-draw format.
Calculate OddsCompare paytables across states — including Maryland vs. DC Keno if you're in the metro area.
Compare PayoutsExplore all states with lottery keno — compare draw frequencies, spot options, and game structures.
View All StatesCalculate exact probability for any spot count — works for Maryland keno and any keno game.
Calculate OddsEnter your bet to see expected payouts and compare paytables.
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