Most Aussies first met keno on a screen at the local pub or club, crossing off numbers on a paper ticket between rounds. Online keno in Australia keeps the same idea, choose your numbers and hope they are drawn, but swaps the wait between games for a draw whenever you press play.
This guide explains how online keno works, how the number of spots you pick changes the game, how keno compares with pokies, and how to play it at Fair Go Casino in your browser. rocketplay6.net is an independent guide site and we earn a commission if you sign up through our links. 18+ only.
Quick facts
- Game type
- Specialty / lottery-style
- Draw
- On demand, no waiting between games
- Software
- SpinLogic Gaming
- Currency
- AUD
- Mobile
- Browser play, no app
- Welcome code
- WELCOME (100% up to $200, five times)
How online keno works
- Pick your spots. Choose your numbers from the keno board, which in the standard format runs from 1 to 80. Each number you pick is called a spot.
- Set your stake. Choose your bet per game.
- Draw. The game draws a set of numbers at random using an RNG.
- Match and win. Your payout depends on how many of your spots were drawn, read from the paytable for the number of spots you chose.
Most online keno games include a quick-pick button that chooses numbers for you, and an auto-play option to repeat the same ticket. Check the paytable before you start, because it changes depending on how many spots you pick.
How many numbers should you pick?
This is the only real decision in keno, and it changes the game's whole personality.
| Spots picked | What to expect | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Few (1 to 4) | Hits are more likely, but prizes are modest | Small budgets and longer sessions |
| Middle (5 to 7) | A balance of hit frequency and prize size | Most casual players |
| Many (8 or more) | Long losing runs, but the top prizes for catching most of your spots are far larger | Players chasing a big multiple who accept volatility |
Your lucky numbers, birthdays or "hot" numbers make no difference. Each draw is independent, and the RNG has no memory of previous games.
Online keno vs pub keno
The game will feel familiar, but a few things are different online:
- Pace. At the pub you wait for the next scheduled draw. Online, a draw happens as soon as you press play, so you can get through many more games per hour. That is the biggest thing to manage.
- Who runs it. Pub keno in Australia is run by licensed local operators. Online keno at Fair Go is run by an offshore casino under a Curaçao licence, with no Australian regulator overseeing it.
- Convenience. No ticket, no queue, and you can play from the couch on your phone.
Because the legal position differs, it is worth reading our guide to online gambling law in Australia before you start.
Keno vs pokies: which suits you?
| Keno | Pokies | |
|---|---|---|
| Decisions | Which numbers, and how many | Bet size only |
| Bonus features | None, just the draw | Free spins, wilds, multipliers, jackpots |
| Published return at Fair Go | Check the in-game paytable | Approximately 97% average |
| Feel | Lottery-style anticipation | Fast, feature-driven |
If you love the build-up of a draw, keno is a nice change. If you want features and jackpots, our online pokies guide is the better starting point. You might also enjoy online scratch cards, another quick specialty game.
Practical tips for online keno
- Read the paytable for your spot count. It is different for every number of picks.
- Watch the speed. Auto-play makes it easy to run through a budget without noticing. Set a fixed number of games instead.
- Keep stakes small relative to your budget, especially if you pick many spots, because losing runs can be long.
- Ignore "hot" and "cold" numbers. They are a record of the past, not a prediction.
Keno and Fair Go bonuses
At the time of writing, Fair Go's welcome offer is 100% up to $200 on each of your first five deposits with code WELCOME, minimum $20, with 30x wagering on deposit plus bonus. Specialty games such as keno can be weighted differently from pokies for wagering or excluded altogether, so check the bonus terms first.
If you would rather keep things simple, play keno with a no-code deposit: busted deposits of $10 or more made without a code qualify for 25% instant cashback (30% on weekends). Our promotions page lists everything currently running.
Responsible gambling
Online keno's instant draws remove the natural breaks you get at the pub, so build your own: a set number of games, then a pause. If you feel you are chasing losses, reach out to Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858; it is free, confidential and open all hours.
Frequently asked questions
Pick your numbers (spots) from the keno board, set your stake and press play. The game draws a set of numbers at random, and you are paid according to how many of your spots were drawn, using the paytable for the number of spots you chose.
There is no right answer, only a trade-off. Picking a few numbers gives more frequent but smaller wins. Picking many gives long losing runs but much bigger prizes when most of your spots land. Choose based on your budget and how much volatility you enjoy.
The game is the same idea, but online draws happen instantly rather than on a schedule, so you can play far more games per hour. Pub keno is also run by licensed local operators, while online keno at Fair Go is run offshore with no Australian regulator.
Yes. Fair Go has no native app, but keno runs in mobile browsers on iOS and Android. The number board adapts to touch, and quick-pick makes it easy to fill a ticket on a small screen.
No. Every draw is generated independently by a random number generator, so numbers that came up often recently are no more or less likely to appear next time. Pick whichever numbers you like; it does not change your odds.