Keno is a lottery-style game of chance in which you pick a handful of numbers and hope they match the numbers drawn at random. It began in China centuries ago and now appears in casinos, clubs and national lotteries worldwide. In New Zealand it is run by Lotto NZ, so the way Kiwis play it differs from the casino version seen overseas. This guide explains what Keno is, how it works here, the realistic odds, and how to play responsibly.
What Is Keno?
Keno sits somewhere between bingo and a lottery. You choose a small set of numbers from a larger pool, a batch of winning numbers is drawn at random, and your prize depends on how many of your picks match. There is no skill in the draw itself — every number has the same chance of appearing, so Keno is purely a game of chance.
The core idea is the same everywhere, but the exact rules (how many numbers you can pick, how many are drawn and what each match pays) are set by the operator. That is why it is worth understanding the specific New Zealand version before you play.
How Keno Works in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Keno is operated by Lotto New Zealand (the New Zealand Lotteries Commission), the same government body behind Lotto and Powerball. You can play in person at licensed Lotto retailers or online through the official website, mylotto.co.nz. You must be at least 18 to buy any Lotto NZ product.
Here is how a standard Lotto NZ Keno line works:
- The pool: numbers run from 1 to 80.
- Your picks (spots): you choose between 1 and 10 numbers per line — known as a 1-Spot up to a 10-Spot game.
- The draw: 20 numbers are drawn at random from the 80.
- Winning: your prize depends on how many of your chosen numbers match the 20 drawn.
- Wager: lines can be played from $1 up to $100, and your prize scales with the amount you wager.
- Draws: Lotto NZ runs Keno draws four times a day, at 10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 6:00pm (NZ time).
Two optional extras are offered. A Dip lets the system pick your numbers at random (a quick-pick style option), and a Multiplier add-on can increase a winning line by a set factor for an extra cost. You can follow the latest Keno results to check whether your numbers came up.
Quick Facts
| Game type | Lottery-style game of chance |
|---|---|
| NZ operator | Lotto New Zealand (mylotto.co.nz) |
| Number pool | 1 to 80 |
| Numbers drawn per draw | 20 |
| Numbers you pick (spots) | 1 to 10 per line |
| Draws per day | 4 — 10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm (NZ time) |
| Line price |
to 0 |
| Top prize | Up to 0,000 (match 10 of 10) |
| Optional extras | Dip (random pick), Multiplier add-on |
| Minimum age | 18 |
How to Play Keno Step by Step
Playing a Keno line with Lotto NZ is straightforward:
- Choose how many numbers to play — anywhere from 1 to 10 spots.
- Select your numbers from 1 to 80, or use a Dip to have them picked for you.
- Set your wager per line, from $1 to $100.
- Decide on extras such as the Multiplier, and how many consecutive draws you want to enter.
- Confirm your ticket and wait for the draw, then check the 20 numbers against your picks.
The more numbers you pick, the bigger the top prize on offer — but the harder it becomes to match them all. Choosing fewer numbers gives you a better chance of matching, but smaller prizes.
Keno Odds and Prize Tiers
Because 20 of the 80 numbers are drawn every time, your realistic chances depend heavily on how many spots you play. The table below shows indicative odds and prizes for a 10-Spot game to illustrate the scale; actual prizes vary with your wager and the current Lotto NZ prize structure.
Prize Tiers
| Numbers matched (10-Spot) | Approx. odds | Indicative prize (per
line) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 of 10 | 1 in 8,911,711 | 0,000 |
| 9 of 10 | 1 in 163,381 | ,000 |
| 8 of 10 | 1 in 7,384 |
,000 |
| 7 of 10 | 1 in 621 | |
| 0 of 10 | 1 in 22 | (free replay) |
Indicative figures for a 10-Spot game; actual prizes scale with your wager and the current Lotto NZ prize structure.
Notice that on a 10-Spot game you can even win a small prize by matching none of your numbers, while matching all ten is extraordinarily rare (roughly 1 in 8.9 million). This is why Keno is best treated as light entertainment rather than a way to make money — the odds always favour the operator, and no pattern of numbers changes them.
Types of Keno
You may come across several formats, though not all are available in New Zealand:
- Lottery-style Keno: the version run by Lotto NZ, with scheduled daily draws.
- Live/casino Keno: played in land-based casinos overseas, often with a paper ticket and a keno lounge.
- Video Keno: an electronic, faster-paced version found on gaming machines and at some online casinos in New Zealand.
- Progressive Keno: a casino format that adds a growing jackpot funded by ongoing play.
Online and casino versions abroad sometimes let you pick more numbers (up to 15 or 20) and use different pay tables, so always read the rules for the specific game you are playing.
Common Keno Bet Types
Casino Keno abroad offers extra ways to structure a ticket that you generally will not see on a standard Lotto NZ line:
- Straight ticket: the simplest bet — you pick your numbers and play them as one group.
- Way ticket: your numbers are split into groups that combine into several bets on one ticket.
- Combination ticket: mixes different group sizes and bet types on a single ticket.
- King ticket: one number is circled as a “king” and included in every combination.
These are worth knowing if you play Keno at an overseas casino, but they do not change the underlying odds — each drawn number is still random.
Keno vs Bingo vs Lotto
Keno is often confused with bingo and Lotto, but there are clear differences:
- Keno vs bingo: in Keno you choose your own numbers and win by matching them; in bingo you are given pre-printed cards and win by completing patterns. Keno draws are also faster and less social.
- Keno vs Lotto: Lotto has fewer, larger scheduled draws with big jackpots, while Keno offers more frequent draws, flexible stakes and smaller, more frequent prizes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few misunderstandings trip up new players:
- Believing in “hot” or “cold” numbers. Past draws have no effect on future ones — every number is equally likely each time.
- Chasing losses. Increasing your stake to recover a loss does not improve your odds.
- Ignoring the pay table. Prizes and required matches differ between spot levels and between operators, so check before you play.
- Skipping a budget. Decide what you can afford to lose first, and treat any winnings as a bonus.
If you want to understand the rules that apply to gambling here, our guide to gambling laws in New Zealand is a useful starting point, and you can explore other games at online casinos in NZ.
Who Keno Suits
Keno appeals to players who enjoy a simple, low-effort game of chance with small, flexible stakes and frequent results. It requires no strategy or study, which makes it beginner-friendly, but for the same reason it offers no way to gain an edge. If you prefer games where knowledge can influence outcomes, sports or racing markets may suit you better — though those still carry risk.
Responsible Gambling
This article is for general information only. It does not encourage gambling and is not financial or gambling advice. Keno is a game of pure chance; no system, pattern or number choice can improve your odds, and over time the game is designed to return less than is staked. You must be 18 or over to play Lotto NZ products.
If gambling is causing you or someone you know harm, free and confidential help is available. Contact the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655, or visit Safer Gambling Aotearoa for support and self-help tools. You can also read our guides to responsible gambling tools and how to self-exclude from betting sites.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many numbers can you pick in New Zealand Keno?
With the standard Lotto NZ game you choose between 1 and 10 numbers per line, from a pool of 1 to 80. This is known as playing a 1-Spot up to a 10-Spot game. Some overseas casino versions of Keno let you pick more numbers, so always check the rules of the specific game.
How many numbers do you need to match to win?
It depends on how many spots you play. On lower-spot games you generally need to match most of your picks, while some higher-spot games pay small prizes for matching only a few numbers — and a 10-Spot line can even pay a small amount for matching none. Always check the pay table for the game you are playing.
Is there a strategy or trick to winning Keno?
No. Keno is a game of pure chance, and every number is equally likely to be drawn each time. Choosing “hot” or “cold” numbers, playing the same numbers repeatedly, or increasing your stake does not improve your odds. The only sensible approach is to set a budget and treat it as entertainment.
What is the top prize in Lotto NZ Keno?
The advertised top Keno prize with Lotto NZ is up to $250,000, won by matching all ten numbers on a 10-Spot line. The odds of doing so are roughly 1 in 8.9 million, and prizes scale with the amount you wager on each line.
Where and when can I play Keno in New Zealand?
You can play at licensed Lotto retailers or online at the official Lotto NZ website, mylotto.co.nz. Draws take place four times a day, at 10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 6:00pm New Zealand time. You must be 18 or over to take part.
