Keno is a lottery-style number game in which you choose a handful of numbers from a larger set, the game draws 20 numbers at random, and you win based on how many of your picks match. It is one of the easiest games of chance to learn: there are no cards to read, no opponents to beat and no decisions to make once the draw begins. This guide explains what keno is in plain language, where the name comes from, how a single round works, and where you can play it across Canada.
Key Facts
- What it is: a lottery-style number game of pure chance
- How it works: you pick a few numbers (spots); 20 are drawn at random; matches pay
- Numbers drawn each round: 20
- Spots you can pick: usually 1–10 (Canada’s daily-draw games often 2–10)
- Number field: 1–70 or 1–80, depending on the game
- Where to play in Canada: provincial lottery retailers, some bars and pubs, and official sites such as OLG.ca and PlayNow.com
- Minimum age: 19 in most provinces; 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec
What is keno?
Keno is a game of chance in which you bet on which numbers will be drawn from a fixed range. You mark a small group of numbers — each one is called a spot — from a larger pool known as the field (usually the numbers 1 to 70 or 1 to 80). The game then runs a draw, randomly selecting 20 numbers from that same field. The more of your chosen numbers that appear among the 20 drawn, the more you win, and the amount depends on how many spots you played and how much you wagered.
Because the numbers are selected at random, keno belongs to the same family as the lottery rather than to skill games such as poker. Nothing you do after you lock in your numbers changes the result. For a full, step-by-step walkthrough of the rules, see our guide on how to play keno.
How does keno work?
A round of keno follows the same four steps almost everywhere, whether you play on a paper slip at a store counter or on a screen online.
1. Pick your numbers (spots)
You decide how many numbers to play — commonly anywhere from 1 to 10 — and which ones. You can choose them yourself or ask for a Quick Pick (also called an auto-pick or Insta Pik), which lets the terminal select random numbers for you. Playing more spots raises the top prize on offer but makes it harder to match them all.
2. Choose your wager
You set how much to stake on the round. Canadian lottery keno games typically offer wagers of $1, $2, $5 or $10, and a larger stake multiplies the prizes on the pay table. Your wager does not change your odds — only the size of the payout.
3. The draw
The game draws 20 numbers at random from the field. Lottery-style games use scheduled draws (for example, twice a day), while rapid and online versions run a fresh draw every few minutes. The draw uses either a physical ball machine or a certified random number generator (RNG), which is software that produces unpredictable results.
4. How you win
You win when enough of your spots appear among the 20 numbers drawn. Each game publishes a pay table showing the fixed prize for every combination of spots played and numbers matched. On higher-spot tickets you can sometimes win a small prize for matching very few numbers — or even none — because the odds of that happening are built into the table.
Where does the word “keno” come from?
The name “keno” most likely comes from the French word quine, meaning a set of five winning numbers in a lottery, combined with the -o ending of lotto; dictionaries record the English word from around 1814. The game is often said to have originated in ancient China — one popular legend credits a Han-dynasty adviser with using a lottery to fund an army, and another claims it helped pay for the Great Wall — but these stories are folklore rather than documented history. What is better supported is that Chinese immigrants helped spread a numbers-draw game in North America during the 1800s, where Western numerals replaced the original characters. Keno as Canadians know it today is a modern lottery product built on that long lineage.
Where can you play keno in Canada?
In Canada, keno is run by the regulated provincial lottery corporations, not by private operators, and you can play it in three main ways: at lottery retailers, at some bars and pubs, and online. Each province offers its own keno product with slightly different rules, number fields and draw schedules.
At retailers and in bars
You can buy keno at licensed lottery retailers such as convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores, and many bars, pubs and lounges show the draws on screens so players can watch the numbers come up in real time. You fill out a paper selection slip or ask for a Quick Pick, and the terminal prints your ticket.
Online
Each province sells keno through its own official website: OLG.ca in Ontario, PlayNow.com in British Columbia, Loto-Québec in Quebec, and Atlantic Lottery and the Western Canada Lottery Corporation in their regions. These are the only lawful online keno options for players in each province. For a full province-by-province breakdown, see our overview of keno in Canada.
Provincial Keno Compared
| Operator (region) | Game | Number field | Spots you pick | Draw frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OLG (Ontario) | Daily Keno | 1–70 | 2–10 | Twice daily (2:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. ET) |
| BCLC (British Columbia) | Keno on PlayNow | 1–80 | Up to 10 | Rapid — a new draw every 3½ minutes |
| WCLC (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) | Keno | 1–80 | 1–10 | Rapid — frequent draws |
| Loto-Québec (Quebec) | Keno | See operator | See operator | Daily draws |
| ALC (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador) | Keno Atlantic | 1–70 | 2–10 | Daily evening draw |
Rules, wagers and top prizes vary by province and can change — always confirm the current details with your provincial operator.
What are the main types of keno?
Although every version shares the pick-numbers-and-match idea, keno comes in several formats that differ mainly in how fast the draws run and where you play. The main types are:
- Lottery / daily keno: scheduled draws once or twice a day, such as OLG Daily Keno and Keno Atlantic. These are the most common retail versions.
- Rapid or “live” keno: frequent draws every few minutes, shown on monitors in venues and online — BCLC’s Keno on PlayNow is an example.
- Video keno: a single-player machine or screen version that draws numbers electronically and plays like a slot-style game.
- Online RNG keno: web and app versions that use a random number generator and often let you play instant rounds back to back.
We explain the differences in depth in our guide to the types of keno and game variants.
What are your odds of winning?
Keno has fixed odds and a built-in house edge, which is the long-run percentage the operator keeps. The chance of matching numbers depends on how many spots you play: matching a 2-spot ticket is far more likely than matching all 10 numbers on a 10-spot ticket, but the 10-spot pays vastly more. No pattern, “hot” number or system changes those odds, because every draw is independent and random. For the real numbers and worked examples, see our guide to keno odds and payouts.
Keno vs. the lottery and bingo
Keno sits between a traditional lottery and bingo, but it is not the same as either. Compared with a draw lottery such as Lotto 6/49, keno lets you choose how many numbers to play and usually draws far more often, so results come quickly instead of once or twice a week. Compared with bingo, keno is a solo bet against a pay table rather than a race against other players to complete a card, and you win fixed amounts set in advance rather than a shared pot. All three are games of chance with no skill element once the numbers are locked in.
Common misconceptions about keno
Because keno looks simple, several myths follow it around. Clearing these up helps you play with realistic expectations.
- “Some numbers are hot or cold.” Every number has the same chance in every draw. Past results do not make any number more or less likely next time.
- “A number is due.” This is the gambler’s fallacy. Draws are independent, so a number that has not appeared in a while is no more likely to come up.
- “Playing more spots improves my chances.” More spots raise the possible top prize but lower the odds of matching them all; they do not improve your overall expected return.
- “There is a system to beat keno.” The house edge is fixed in the pay table. No betting pattern or software can overcome it over time.
Who is keno for?
Keno suits players who want a simple, fast game of chance for entertainment, not a way to make money. It appeals to people who like the lottery but prefer more frequent draws and control over how many numbers they play, and it is easy for complete beginners because there is nothing to master beyond picking numbers and a wager. If you are looking for a game you can influence through skill, keno is not it — the outcome is entirely random.
A quick note on playing responsibly
Keno is chance-based entertainment with a built-in house edge, so over time the game keeps a share of what is wagered; it is not a source of income. In most Canadian provinces you must be 19 or older to play, while in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec the minimum age is 18. Set a budget before you play, treat any losses as the cost of the entertainment, and never chase them. If gambling stops being fun or starts to cause harm, free, confidential help is available — see our guide to responsible gambling help and support in Canada.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is keno in simple terms?
Keno is a lottery-style number game. You pick a few numbers from a set range, the game randomly draws 20 numbers, and you win a fixed prize based on how many of your picks match and how much you wagered.
How many numbers can you pick in keno?
It depends on the game, but most keno products let you pick between 1 and 10 numbers. Canada’s daily-draw games, such as OLG Daily Keno and Keno Atlantic, let you play from 2 to 10 numbers.
Is keno the same as the lottery?
Keno is part of the lottery family and is run by provincial lottery corporations, but it is not the same as a weekly draw lottery. You choose how many numbers to play, draws happen much more often, and prizes are fixed amounts rather than a shared jackpot.
Where can I play keno in Canada?
You can play at licensed lottery retailers, at some bars and pubs that show the draws, and online through your province’s official site — for example OLG.ca in Ontario or PlayNow.com in British Columbia.
Can you improve your chances of winning at keno?
No. Keno draws are random and independent, and the house edge is fixed in the pay table, so no number choice, pattern or system changes your odds. You only control how many spots you play and how much you wager.
