With keno being such a popular game in the US, it’s no surprise that players are looking for different ways to enjoy it while surfing the web. While you may be able to find online keno casinos, they require you to bet using real money and aren’t legal in many places across the US.
That’s where sweepstakes casinos come in. These platforms allow US players from 48 states (except for Michigan, Washington, and Idaho, where they’re banned) to enjoy sweeps keno games for free without risking any of their money. On top of that, some even give you the option to play for real money prizes!
How does keno work at sweepstakes casinos exactly? Sweepstakes casinos use two types of currency for their games. One is called Gold Coins, which have no monetary value and allow you to play free keno online, while the other is known as Sweeps Coins, which you can exchange for real cash prizes.
Interested in trying out some free sweeps keno games? Keep reading our guide to learn more about how online keno works, where you can play it, and which keno games you should try.
What is Keno?
Keno, as we know it today, has been around for centuries and is based on a lottery game from Ancient China. In fact, there’s a known legend that this game helped raise money to build the Great Wall of China.
The game took its modern form way later, though, as it was introduced to the West by immigrants from China who came to work on building railroads. Throughout the 19th century, the game took the world by storm and became a classic, along with another similar game, bingo.
The rules for keno are pretty simple. All you have to do is mark down a few numbers (usually up to 10) on a number grid ranging from 1 to 80. Then, 20 numbers are drawn, and the more matching numbers you have, the larger the payout you get.
Up until recently, keno was mostly enjoyed in lotteries, along with other parlor-style games like bingo. However, the transition to online casinos couldn’t possibly leave out such a popular game. So, there are plenty of online casinos (both real money and sweepstakes) that offer keno games online to their players.
Online Keno Games
The question then becomes, are there any significant differences between online keno and traditional keno? The answer is no. The online game works exactly the same as the keno in your local lottery.
The only slight difference is instead of daubing numbers on a paper card, you click and choose them. Then, the draw happens using RNG (Random Number Generator), and prizes are automatically paid out.
There are plenty of software providers that make classic keno games, as well as more unique options. For instance, there’s Realistic Games with its Keno and Keno Deluxe games and Spinoro with its Keno Star and Super Keno games.
All of these are variations of video keno, where the player plays against computerized software. There are also live Keno games, with a real host who takes care of the draw and chats with the players.
Naturally, some game providers have created different variants of classic keno to stand out from the crowd. These include games with more than one card or more numbers to choose from. It’s also important to note that most sweepstakes casinos have their own in-house software and games.
Online Keno Rules
Now, let’s dive a little deeper into how the rules of an online keno game work. When you launch your preferred sweeps keno game, you’ll need to choose your bet size. Once you lock in your bet, you’ll be handed out your card (or cards if you’re playing a variant with multiple cards).
You’ll need to pick your preferred numbers and click to lock them. You can usually choose up to 10 numbers, but some online keno variants allow you to choose up to 15 or even 20 numbers.
Once your choices are locked in, RNG software will call out 20 random numbers. Then, the computer checks to see how many of your numbers match the drawn ones and hands you your payout.
In essence, there are no significant differences between the rules of traditional keno and online keno. You just have to follow the bet limitations of each specific game, and ensure you’ve picked an eligible amount of numbers on your card.
Keno Odds & Payouts
So, how does keno pay out players? It’s pretty simple. It all comes down to how many numbers you choose to mark down on your card. For instance, if you mark down just one number, you have a 1 in 4 chance for it to be among the 20 winning numbers. If you choose to play with two numbers, the odds of hitting both drop to 1 in 17, and so on.
In terms of payouts, hitting the one number you pick will net $2 for every $1 you bet. Hitting two out of two will get you $10. For higher combinations, it’s best to check out the payout table of the game you’re playing, as it can get pretty complicated.
It’s also important to talk about the house edge of different keno games. With such a wide variety of sweeps keno, there’s a huge diversity in terms of edge as well. Most online keno games will come with a house edge between 4% and 10%, but some can go way above that.
As a comparison, other sweepstakes casino games, including slots, roulette, and blackjack, usually come with an edge below 4%. That’s why keno is not considered the best option for those who want the most optimal chance to win. However, if you find some sweeps keno games with around 4% to 5% in-house edge, you should be good to go.
Best Online Sweepstakes Keno Games
So, now that you understand a bit more about how online keno works, let’s see what kind of sweeps keno games you can find at different sweepstakes casinos. Keep in mind that keno is not as popular in sweeps casinos as other games, but you can still find some exciting variations of the game you’ll definitely enjoy.
🥇Paintball Keno
Paintball Keno is an in-house sweeps keno game that you can find exclusively at Funzpoints Casino. This game is a themed version of the multi-card keno game, where you basically play with more than one keno card.
This way, you can choose more numbers to play with, but it can get pretty complicated, so it’s best to go for it if you already have experience with the classic game.
As for Paintball Keno, it’s themed around the game of paintball, and the different cards are color-coded. The game also has very fun and exciting artwork that makes it seem modern and engaging to play.
Other than the sleek graphics and multiple cards, the same rules as basic keno apply. You choose up to 10 numbers on each card, 20 numbers are drawn, and you get paid based on how many numbers you match.
🥈Candy Keno
If you’re on Fortune Coins Casino, you’ll be glad to find out it has a very fun sweeps keno game called Candy Keno. This one’s exclusive to Fortune Coins players, and it’s just like the classic game of keno, albeit a lot sweeter, thanks to the funky graphics from Candyland!
When you launch Candy Keno, you’ll find the familiar 80-number grid you’re used to from other online keno games. All you need to do is choose which numbers you want to play with and hit the button to draw the 20 numbers. Depending on how many numbers you catch, you’ll receive some sweet prizes!
🥉Fireball Keno
If you’d like a more exciting sweeps keno game with a fantasy theme, Fireball Keno might just be the game for you. Centered around mighty dragons breathing large fireballs, this game takes you on a journey into a dark fantasy world with impressive art style, graphics, and animation.
Apart from its brilliant visuals, though, Fireball Keno is just like every other regular keno game. The grid consists of 80 numbers (although it’s shaped differently to add some variety), and you can still pick up to 10 numbers.
It’s worth noting the game has a “clear card” feature to remove your previous choices, as well as a “quick pick” feature to randomly select ten numbers, which speeds up the gameplay drastically.
🎖️Stake Keno
Stake Keno is an original game created by the popular crypto casino with the same name, but you can also find a sweeps version of it on the Stake.us sweepstakes casino. Similar to all Stake originals, the game features a minimalistic design with no flashy graphics, themes, or animations.
One significant difference with the standard online keno game is the reduction of the grid to 40 numbers. This significantly affects payouts, as it’s easier to catch numbers, especially if you’ve only chosen a few. But it also limits the maximum potential win you can get.
You can also determine the risk level you want, with higher risk rewarding higher payouts for hitting multiple numbers, while lower risk levels pay out small amounts when you hit just a few numbers.
🏅Book of Keno
If the name “Book of Keno” reminds you of popular slot games with similar names, it’s because this game basically combines the best of both worlds. You get the general game rules and payouts as classic keno but need to spin the grid just like you would with an online slot to draw the 20 random numbers.
This game can be found at Pulsz Casino and Pulsz Bingo and has a few small differences from traditional Keno games. The grid is 6×6 and consists of 36 numbers, and the maximum payout you can earn is 100x your original bet.
How to Play Keno Online
Let’s move on to how you can actually play free keno games for free or for real money. First, you’ll need to find a sweepstakes casino that has online keno games available. Then, you’ll need to create an account for free. Each casino will have its own intricacies and details, but the general process is very simple and only requires a few steps:
- Visit the sweepstakes casino home page and click “Sign Up”.
- Fill in any necessary details, including your full name and email address.
- Choose a strong password and create your account.
- Go through any verification necessary, such as verifying your email or phone number.
- That’s it! Your account should be ready to start playing keno online for free!
After you’ve successfully created your account, you’ll immediately receive your welcome bonus with no deposit. This will give you enough Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins (or whatever currency your chosen casino uses) to play online keno for free or real money.
If you want to purchase additional Gold Coins for even more keno rounds, you’ll need to deposit some real money using your credit/debit card or any other payment method the casino supports. Make sure to also utilize any promotions for additional free sweeps coins before purchasing some with real money.
Keno Free Play
As we’ve mentioned above, sweepstakes casinos allow you to play all their games, including online keno, for free. You can do this by using Gold Coins (or the equivalent currency of any sweeps casino), which is a free currency with no monetary value.
When you use Gold Coins to play sweeps keno, you’re just playing for the fun of the game. You don’t have to worry about risking any of your own money since Gold Coins are basically worth nothing, and you can easily obtain them for free through different casino promos and offers.
However, there is also the option to purchase Gold Coins using real money, but it’s not necessary since you’ll probably earn enough of them for free.
Keno Real Money
The good thing about sweepstakes casinos is most of them also give you the option to play keno for real cash prizes. To do this, you’ll need to use Sweeps Coins (or whatever each casino calls them), a premium currency that you can exchange for cash prizes once you have enough. Depending on the casino, these cash prizes may include actual money or gift cards for popular vendors like Amazon, Walmart, etc.
As you can imagine, Sweeps Coins are much harder to come by, and you get very few of them for free. You also can’t purchase them directly using your own money; you only earn them as a gift when you purchase Gold Coin packages.
Since Sweeps Coins are so scarce, you should be careful how you use them and only play online keno using Sweeps Coins when you’re already familiar with how the game works.
Best Sweepstakes Casinos to Play Free Online Keno & Win Real Cash Prizes
So what are the best sweepstakes casinos to play free sweeps keno? We have a few recommendations for you, all of which we’ve thoroughly reviewed and considered to be some of the best in the business.
🥇Fortune Coins Casino
Fortune Coins is one of the top sweepstakes casinos for online keno, and for good reason. The platform supports exciting sweeps keno titles like Candy Keno and is overall an excellent sweepstakes casino provider for anyone living in the 48 eligible US states (apart from Idaho and Washington).
Fortune Coins Casino also offers plenty of bonuses and promotions for all players, including one of the largest welcome bonuses available. When you sign up with Fortune Coins, you earn a whopping 360,000 Gold Coins and 1,200 Fortune Coins (the equivalent of Sweeps Coins). You can use these free Fortune Coins to play online keno and potentially earn real money prizes.
🥈Stake.us Casino
Stake.us is basically the sweepstakes version of the famous Stake crypto casino, which instantly makes it one of the best options for anyone looking for free online keno games. The platform features its own original keno game (simply called Keno), which you can play in all eligible states.
Stake.us utilizes Gold Coins and Stake Cash (which is basically Sweeps Coins) to play all the available games, including sweeps keno. On signup, you instantly get 10,000 GC and 1 SC, and you can earn even more through several promos for new and existing players.
🥉Pulsz Casino
Pulsz Casino is another reputable sweepstakes casino with tons of games to play. While you won’t find traditional keno games, there’s the popular Book of Keno game we mentioned previously, a hybrid between online keno and slots. There’s also another similar game called Bubbles Keno with a unique underwater theme.
You can enjoy these games at Pulsz Casino (and its sister site, Pulsz Bingo) for free using Gold Coins or play for real money with Sweepstakes Coins. For your no deposit welcome bonus, you get 5,000 Gold Coins and 2.3 SC, which should be enough for plenty of rounds.
Tips & Tricks to Win at Keno
The game of keno is relatively simple, but there are still a few things you need to keep in mind. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you win more when playing online keno in sweepstakes casinos:
- Bet fewer numbers – While the potential for huge wins might seem exciting, the odds of hitting a large amount of numbers are very slim. Instead, try to choose fewer numbers, which gives you a better chance of getting paid when you hit one or a few for more consistent payouts.
- Don’t go all out from the start – It’s best not to place huge bets right from the start, especially if you’re not very familiar with the game of keno. Take things more slowly, learn how the game works, develop a strategy, and then you can proceed to place higher bets with higher risk.
- Utilize all bonuses – Sweepstakes casinos give you plenty of ways to earn free coins and free sweeps every day. If you’re looking to just enjoy some casual online keno for free, you should take advantage of as many promos as possible to build up your bankroll.
Is Keno Worth Playing at Sweepstakes Casinos?
Just like most games, keno is definitely worth playing at sweepstakes casinos. After all, it’s free to play, and you can have a good time without risking any of your own money. However, there are a few caveats you should be aware of.
First and foremost, keno is not the most popular online casino game, which means there isn’t a large variety of titles available compared to other game types like online slots. Still, you’ll be able to find a few different fun and engaging games with nice graphics and the same gameplay you love.
Additionally, playing keno for real money can be a bit tricky in sweepstakes casinos. That’s because you need a lot of Sweeps Coins, which you can’t get as easily as Gold Coins. So, it’s best to start out with free keno games with Gold Coins, and when you feel comfortable, transition to playing for real cash prizes.
Are Keno Sweepstakes Games Legit or Rigged?
One question that often comes up is are online keno games fair and legitimate or not. That’s because most sweepstakes casinos that offer these games are not regulated like real money online casinos. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not legit. In fact, they’re one of the few ways to enjoy online casino games like keno in almost all US states.
What’s more, the operators we recommend are thoroughly tested to ensure their legitimacy. Plus, the games these sweepstakes casinos use all come from licensed operators who are independently tested for their fairness.
So, if you want to enjoy some free online keno, your best option is to look for one of the top sweepstakes casinos we recommend that has a good variety of keno games.
Play Online Keno No Deposit & Win Real Money!
The transition of keno to the online world has allowed even more players to enjoy it. If you live in one of the 48 eligible US states (except for Washington and Idaho), you can enjoy online keno for free through sweepstakes casinos.
These sweepstakes casinos allow you to start playing keno for free using Gold Coins, but you can also play for the chance at real cash prizes using Sweeps Coins. That’s simply a win-win situation! You get to enjoy your favorite game without risking any money, but also have the opportunity with cash prizes!
If you want to enjoy some of the top sweeps keno games, like Candy Keno and Book of Keno, sign up with one of our recommended sweepstakes casinos today! Just make sure to start with small bets, and don’t overdo it by picking too many numbers, as it lowers your overall odds of winning.
FAQs
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Where can I play keno online?Online keno is available at several different casinos, but you can only play it for free at sweepstakes casinos if you live in one of 48 eligible states (apart from Washington and Idaho).
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How to win at online keno?To win at keno, the numbers you have chosen need to be the same as the numbers that are randomly drawn. The more numbers you match, the higher prize you win.
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Which are the best sweeps keno games?There are many sweeps keno casino games you can enjoy at the best sweepstakes casinos in the US. Some examples include Stake Keno at Stake.us, Book of Keno at Pulsz Casino, and Candy Keno at Fortune Coins.
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Is it legal to play keno in the US?Yes, keno is fully legal to play in the US. However, some states don’t allow for legal gambling at online casinos. So your best choice to play online keno is sweepstakes casinos, which are available in all US states except for Idaho and Washington.
