Everything you need to know about video keno machines — how they work, how they differ from lottery keno, and what to watch for on the casino floor.
Video keno is an electronic version of keno played on a dedicated gaming machine — similar in form factor to a slot machine or video poker terminal. You pick your numbers on a touchscreen, press a button, and the draw resolves in seconds rather than minutes.
Video keno machines are common on casino floors, in bars and taverns in states that permit it, and increasingly at airports and other gaming-licensed venues. They offer a faster, more solitary version of the keno experience compared to lottery keno or casino keno lounges.
| Feature | Video Keno (Machine) | Lottery Keno |
|---|---|---|
| Draw speed | Every 3–10 seconds | Every 4–5 minutes |
| Setting | Casino floor / bar | Licensed lottery retailers |
| Ticket format | Credits on machine | Printed paper ticket |
| Paytable | Varies by machine | Fixed by state lottery |
| Bet size | Pennies to $5+/credit | $1, $2, $5, $10 |
| Social element | Solo play | Often group/bar setting |
| RTP range | 75–92% typical | 65–75% typical |
| Who regulates | State gaming commission | State lottery commission |
Video keno machines use a certified Random Number Generator (RNG) to simulate the draw of 20 numbers from a pool of 80. The RNG is tested and certified by independent laboratories (such as GLI, BMM, or iTech Labs) to ensure it produces truly random results within regulatory requirements.
When you press the "Draw" or "Play" button, the machine's RNG instantly selects 20 numbers. The animated reveal of balls dropping or numbers lighting up is purely cosmetic — the outcome was determined the moment you pressed the button.
Video keno machines typically work in credits. A penny machine with a $0.01 denomination lets you bet 1 credit ($0.01) up to the machine's maximum (often 100 credits = $1.00). Most players bet somewhere in the middle. The paytable multipliers are applied to your total credit bet.
Unlike lottery keno where a $1 bet on a 6-spot that hits 5 matches pays a fixed $87 (MA) or $100 (generic), a video keno machine's payout is your bet multiplied by the machine's paytable multiplier for that outcome.
This is one of the most important things to understand about video keno: paytables vary significantly from machine to machine, even within the same casino. A machine in one corner of a casino floor might return 85% while a machine across the room returns 75%. There's no universal standard.
Some common video keno variations you'll encounter:
The base game — pick 1–10 spots, draw 20 from 80, win based on catches. Paytable varies by machine. The most common format.
A multiplier variant where if the 20th ball drawn is one of your picks, your payout is multiplied (typically 4x). Adds excitement to near-misses but doesn't change overall RTP significantly.
Similar to Power Keno — if the first ball drawn matches one of your picks, you receive a 4x multiplier on your winnings. Winning on the first ball is an additional thrill.
Play up to 4 cards simultaneously with the same draw. Each card can have different number selections. All cards share the same draw, so a lucky draw hits all your cards at once.
Before the draw, 3 "eggs" are randomly placed on the board. If 2 or 3 eggs are among the drawn numbers, a multiplier (4x or 8x) is applied to your winnings.
Group your picks into subsets and play multiple "ways" on one ticket. A 6-spot grouped as two groups of 3 can be played as a 6-way, 3-way, and combinations — many bets on one draw.
Video keno machines in regulated casinos typically return between 75% and 92% of wagered money to players, depending on the jurisdiction and machine. This is generally better than lottery keno (65–75%) but worse than slot machines at major casinos (92–96%).
Nevada gaming regulations, for example, require a minimum 75% RTP on keno machines. Some jurisdictions set higher minimums. The actual RTP of any given machine should be disclosed in the machine's help/information menu — though few players check it.
Video keno machines display their full paytable in the game menu. Before inserting money, check the paytable for your intended spot count. Compare the payouts to other machines nearby — a few minutes of comparison can meaningfully improve your expected return.
The biggest risk factor with video keno compared to lottery keno is speed. Lottery keno draws every 4 minutes. Video keno draws every 5–10 seconds. At that pace:
Even at $0.25/game, that's $180/hour. The math is the same house edge per game — but the number of games per hour multiplies the real-dollar cost dramatically. Set strict time and money limits before sitting down at a video keno machine.
A complete walkthrough of keno mechanics — covering all four formats including video keno.
Read GuideCalculate exact probabilities for any spot count — the math is identical for video and lottery keno.
Calculate OddsHow online keno compares to video keno — RNG, game variants, and playing from home.
Online Keno Guide