Pokies are widely considered to be the number one casino game that Kiwis love to play, and keno is arguably the second or third most popular game in New Zealand, depending on who you ask!
Keno is a very simple game to play. It is based entirely on luck and does not require any complex game strategies to play and win. This is one of the main reasons why the game of keno is so popular in New Zealand. The second reason is that it is authorized by the Gambling Act 2003 and is offered by multiple online sites, including Lotto NZ.
Keno is a game that combines elements of the lottery and bingo. The overall concept is that you pick a maximum of 20 numbers from a set of 80 numbers. The more numbers you get right, the higher the potential payout!
NZ players enjoy playing keno because they can play Keno games daily, with multiple Keno draws taking place daily. Keno games can be played online and in person at casinos in New Zealand.
We have put together a ‘how to play keno easy guide’ to give you everything you need to know about keno games in NZ. Some of the questions we address below include whether playing Keno online or offline is easier. Where do I find good online keno games? Learning how things operate in a keno game, tips to boost your keno winnings, NZ keno game myths busted, and frequently asked questions about keno!
Is It Easier To Play Keno Online or Offline?
This is an easy question to answer because online keno games are significantly more popular than offline or in-person keno games. There are several reasons why online keno is more popular than offline keno games; we list some below.
Online Keno – Pros
- Can be played from the comfort of your home
- Can be accessed via laptops, smartphones, and tablets
- You can choose keno numbers manually or via a quick-pick option
- RNG software matches your numbers and gives you the results
- You can make deposits and cashout winnings online
- A full record of your keno wins, losses, and deposits is available online
- You can play keno games at online casinos and lottery sites
Online Keno – Cons
- Older players in NZ are not technical and don’t know how to play online keno
- You must disclose your payment info at online keno sites
- Can be addictive as you can play keno games 24/7
- You can play keno games at online casinos and lottery sites
Offline Keno – Pros
- Good for older players in NZ as a casino employee will help if required
- Is a fun game when you are having a night out at the casino
- You are less likely to develop a keno problem addiction
- You can play keno games at online casinos and lottery sites
Offline Keno - Cons
- You must physically travel to a location that offers keno games
Overall, we think online keno games are more user friendly and easily accessible when compared to offline keno games. However, it all comes down to your personal preferences and whether you are looking to play keno games in NZ regularly or just every now and then!
If you are looking to play keno in NZ on a regular basis, we think you should play online keno. But if you are just looking to try keno and play a few times, you can consider playing keno at a casino in NZ.
Learning How Things Operate In A Keno Game
When you play keno, you have the option to pick from 80 numbers (1-80). A player can pick a max of 20 numbers in each game. The cost of each keno ticket will depend on how many numbers you pick. The more numbers you pick, the higher the cost of your keno ticket.
Once you selected how many numbers you are going to buy, you will then have to pick your numbers. You have the option to choose numbers manually from 1 to 80 or you can use the quick pick option provided by the keno software. If you select quick pick, then the software will generate the numbers for you.
The draw for each keno game then takes place as a random number generator (RNG) software runs and picks out a total of 20 numbers from the 80 numbers pool. The system will then match how many of your selected or quick pick numbers match the numbers selected by the RNG software.
The keno casino software will then determine if you have won or loss. If you have won, it will then calculate how much you have won based on the paytable and credit your winnings directly into your account.
The rules are straightforward in keno as all you must do is decide how many numbers you are going to buy, then choose numbers and see if it matches with the keno numbers picked for each draw to determine if you have won or lost.
Where Do I Find Good Online Keno Games?
Since keno games are licensed and regulated in NZ, there are quite a lot of options for you to play keno games in NZ. The most reliable option is for you to play at Lotto NZ which can be accessed via their online site or via the Lotto NZ mobile app.
There are also several online casino sites that offer keno games. We must point out that while online casino games are illegal in New Zealand, the government of New Zealand has plans to license online casinos in 2026. There are many offshore casinos that offer keno games in New Zealand.
These keno games can be found either in the lottery section or under the specialty game category. We have shortlisted and put together a list of reliable NZ online casinos that you can register at and start playing keno games right away.
You will need to register and create an account whether you sign-up at Lotto NZ or any of our recommended NZ online casinos. The account registration process should not take you more than a couple of minutes. You will have to enter personal information such as your full name, date of birth, email address and mobile phone number.
Once you have registered an account, your next step is to link a payment method to your account, so you can deposit funds into your gaming account. The most popular payment methods are cards and e-wallets. Once you link your payment account, make a deposit and you will then be able to bet on keno games.
Keno Multipliers and Variants
NZ lotto makes keno games more interesting by adding a multiplier factor to each keno game. For every keno game that you play, you have the option to choose between 5 multipliers. The multipliers offered are 1.5x, 2x, 3x, 5x and 10x. You must pay extra money to add in the multiplier and the higher the multiplier, the higher the cost.
If you end up winning and have a multiplier attached to your keno ticket, then your winnings are multiplied. Example - if you buy a 5x multiplier and you end up winning NZ$50, then your winnings are NZ$50 x 5 = NZ$250.
There are different keno variants and most of them are a modification of bingo rules. Depending on which keno game variant you play, some numbers have a higher payout. Do note that while there are different keno variants not all of them are available in NZ as some of them are more popular in the United States.
Some of the popular keno variants are
- Mini Keno
- Power Keno
- Straight Ticket Keno
- Way Ticket Keno
- Bonus Spot Keno
- Progressive Jackpot Keno
- Super Keno
- Live Dealer Keno
Tips To Boost Your Keno Winnings
While keno is based purely on chance, you can take certain steps to increase your odds of winning at keno. We have put together the following tips that will help you have fun playing keno and give you a better chance to win.
- Determine how much you want to spend in total on keno games (daily/weekly/monthly)
- If you are new to keno, start with low stakes keno - $1 games
- Avoid using multipliers, especially if you have a small bankroll
- Download a mobile gaming app, that allows you to keep track of your keno games
- Do not start playing keno games when you are emotionally drained or having a bad day
- Trust your gut when it comes to picking your keno numbers
- More is not always better in keno – picking 20 numbers can boost your odds of winning but will also reduce your payouts
- You rather pick 6 numbers and get 3 right as you stand a chance to win than picking 10 numbers and getting 3 right as you will not get a cashout
- When you do win at keno, it’s better to cashout your winnings
- If you are showing signs of problem gambling, make use of self-exclusion tools
NZ Keno Game Myths Busted
A lot of Kiwi players are superstitious and believe that their luck can be influenced by several outside factors. We look at some of the myths that surround keno games and strategy in NZ and bust them for you!
- It is easier to win playing in-person keno than online keno since online keno games are rigged in favour of the house.
- This is false as online keno games are controlled by RNG software that gets audited by 3rd party auditors.
- It is easier to win at online keno by using the quick play feature than manually picking numbers. False as the quick play feature is also determined by RNG software.
- You are more likely to win a keno jackpot when you have had a dream of the winning numbers. While some NZ players have won big jackpots after having a dream, this is not always true!
- Certain hot numbers are more likely to show up and result in a win. False as keno stats show that there are no fixed numbers that show up more predominantly than other numbers.
- It is easier to win keno games when you play on certain days (7/7 or 11/11) – this is false as the RNG software that runs keno games runs them daily.
- Psychics and mediums can see into the future and predict your keno game wins. This is false.
Keno - Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to figure out how to play keno is to sign-up at a keno site or download a keno mobile app and play a few games of keno to see how it works. This FAQ section will give you further information to help you have fun play keno.
- Do I have to pay any taxes on my keno game wins in New Zealand? No. You do not need to pay any taxes on your keno game wins in New Zealand as keno is considered a lottery game. New Zealand does not require a player to pay taxes on their lottery wins, which means you can keep whatever you win playing keno in NZ.
- How often can I play keno games in New Zealand? Keno games take place daily in New Zealand and Lotto NZ offers multiple keno draws per day. These draws usually take place at 10 am, 1 pm and 3 pm NZ time and the results are published almost immediately. If you are playing keno games at a NZ casino, you can check the times when keno games are played.
- Are there any specific hot numbers or cold numbers to avoid in keno? While some push the narrative that there are hot and cold numbers in keno, overall stats show that the RNG software determines the numbers for each draw and hot/cold numbers don’t really work in keno.
- When I buy a multiplier, does it apply to my entire keno ticket or only specific numbers? When you buy a multiplier at NZ Lotto, the multiplier is applied to all draws and lines for that specific ticket. So if you win anything on that ticket/draw, it will be multiplied based on the multiplier you bought.
- Is it better for me to play keno or the Powerball jackpot? We cannot tell you whether Keno or Powerball is better for you as it is subjective. Powerball jackpots usually pay out huge amounts, whereas Keno jackpots are much smaller. The odds for Powerball and Keno games also differ significantly, and so does the price of entry.