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.
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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.
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.
Unlike lottery keno where a $1 bet on a 6-spot pays a fixed dollar amount, video keno machines work in credits. A penny machine with a $0.01 denomination lets you bet 1–100 credits. The paytable multipliers are applied to your total credit bet, and those multipliers vary from machine to machine.
Pick 1–10 spots, draw 20 from 80, win based on catches. Paytable varies by machine. The most common format on casino floors.
How Keno Works →If the 20th ball drawn matches one of your picks, your payout is multiplied (typically 4x). Adds excitement without significantly changing overall RTP.
Power Keno Guide →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.
Super Keno Guide →Before the draw, 3 "eggs" are randomly placed. If 2 or 3 eggs are among the drawn numbers, a multiplier (4x or 8x) is applied to your winnings.
Caveman Keno Guide →Egyptian themed. If the last ball completes a winning combination, you earn 12 free games, each paying a 2x multiplier.
Cleopatra Keno Guide →Play up to 20 cards simultaneously against the same draw. Each card has its own number selections and is paid independently.
Multi-Card Keno Guide →Exactly four cards, one draw, four independent payouts. The most popular multi-card format and the one with the most developed strategy.
4-Card Keno Guide →Group your picks into subsets and play multiple "ways" on one ticket. A 6-spot grouped as two 3s plays as a 6-way, 3-way, and combinations.
Way Keno Guide →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.
The biggest risk with video keno is speed. The house edge per game is the same, but the number of games per hour multiplies the real-dollar cost dramatically.
Even at $0.25/game, video keno costs $180/hour. Set strict time and money limits before sitting down.
It's accessible from the machine's menu and takes 30 seconds. Paytables vary enough between machines to meaningfully affect your return.
Video keno is fast. Decide your budget before you sit down, and set a phone timer if needed. Walk away when you hit either limit.
The math works the same on a video keno machine as any other keno game. Lower spot counts cash more often but for smaller amounts.
The result is determined the instant you press play. You can watch the full animation or skip it. The outcome is already set.
Power Keno, Super Keno, and similar variants are entertaining, but the machine's overall RTP is still set by the operator within regulatory limits.
How online keno compares to video keno: RNG, game variants, and playing from home.
A walkthrough of keno mechanics covering all four formats including video keno.
Understand how keno payouts work, what multipliers mean, and how to compare paytables across games.