| RTP | 97.00% - Compare RTPs |
|---|---|
| Max Win | 100x |
Keno by iSoftBet
Keno is a lottery-style number-draw game developed by iSoftBet. It sits somewhere between a lottery ticket and a table game - you pick a set of numbers, a draw selects 20 from a pool of 80, and your payout depends on how many of your picks match the drawn numbers. There are no reels, no paylines, and no bonus features to trigger. What keno offers is a simple, self-paced game where every round plays out in seconds.
This review covers how keno works, how many numbers to pick, what the odds look like across different spot counts, and where keno sits in the broader casino game landscape.
Keno at a Glance
- Developer: iSoftBet
- Game type: Number draw / lottery
- Number pool: 1 to 80
- Numbers drawn per round: 20
- RTP: 97%
- Max multiplier: 100x stake
- Launch date: 2022
How Keno Works
Each round starts with you selecting your numbers - called spots - from a grid numbered 1 to 80. iSoftBet's keno lets you pick anywhere from 1 to 10 spots per ticket. Once you have made your selection and placed your bet, the draw begins. Twenty numbers are pulled at random from the pool of 80. Your payout is determined by how many of your chosen spots appear in those 20 drawn numbers.
The more spots you pick, the more you need to match before any payout starts, but the potential returns also climb. Pick 1 spot, and a single match pays out immediately. Pick 10 spots, and you typically need to match 3 or 4 before you see any return, but matching 8, 9, or 10 produces much larger multiples. The maths behind each spot count is different, which is what makes the choice of how many numbers to pick more meaningful than it might first appear.
There is no skill involved in which numbers you choose. Each number has exactly the same probability of being drawn on every round regardless of what appeared in previous rounds. The draw is powered by a certified random number generator, so past results have no bearing on future ones.
Choosing How Many Spots to Pick
The most consequential decision in keno is how many numbers to select per ticket. It changes both the frequency of wins and the size of payouts when they come.
Picking fewer spots - say 1 to 4 - gives a higher hit rate. Match 1 out of 1 and you win something every time you hit. But the payouts for low spot counts are correspondingly smaller. You will win more often but for smaller amounts.
Picking more spots - 7 to 10 - pushes the game towards lower hit frequency with larger potential payouts. You might go several rounds without a return, but landing 7 or more matches on a 10-spot ticket produces multiples that low spot counts cannot reach. The maximum 100x multiplier in iSoftBet's keno is achievable through high-spot combinations.
The middle range of 4 to 6 spots is where many players settle. It balances hit frequency against payout size, and the odds of landing at least a partial match are reasonable without requiring the patience of a 10-spot strategy.
Odds and Payouts
Keno odds are determined by combinatorial probability - specifically, how likely it is that a given number of your chosen spots will appear among the 20 drawn from 80. The odds get longer as spot counts increase and as the number of matches required rises.
Here are approximate odds for some common spot counts on a standard 80-ball, 20-draw keno game:
| Spots Picked | Matches Needed to Win | Odds of That Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 spot | 1 from 1 | 1 in 4 |
| 2 spots | 2 from 2 | 1 in 17 |
| 4 spots | 4 from 4 | 1 in 326 |
| 5 spots | 5 from 5 | 1 in 1,551 |
| 8 spots | 8 from 8 | 1 in 230,115 |
| 10 spots | 10 from 10 | 1 in 8,911,711 |
Note that for higher spot counts you can win partial payouts on fewer matches - a 10-spot ticket usually pays something from 3 matches upward, so you do not need all 10 to see a return.
iSoftBet's keno publishes an RTP of 97%, which is competitive for the game type. Standard keno RTPs across the industry range from around 80% up to 96-97% depending on the variant, so 97% places this version at the favourable end. The house edge of 3% is notably lower than most slots and comparable to some table games like roulette.
iSoftBet as a Developer
iSoftBet was established in 2010 and built its reputation primarily through video slots, but the studio has produced a range of casino game types including blackjack, roulette, video poker, and number-draw games like keno. Their catalogue runs to hundreds of titles and the studio holds certifications across multiple regulated markets.
iSoftBet's keno takes the traditional format without significant deviation - the 1-to-80 grid and 20-draw structure is the standard version rather than a variant with multipliers or progressive elements. The game is certified by an independent testing body, which means the published 97% RTP reflects the actual maths rather than a theoretical figure.
iSoftBet was acquired by IGT (International Game Technology) in 2022. The catalogue has continued to operate under the iSoftBet brand within the IGT distribution network.
Keno vs Other Casino Games
Keno sits in an unusual spot in the casino game landscape. It shares the random number draw mechanic with lotteries, but plays out in seconds rather than days. It shares the low-decision-count simplicity of slots, but the absence of reels, paylines, and bonus features makes it feel closer to a scratch card or bingo.
The 97% RTP compares well against many slots, which commonly sit in the 94-96% range. Unlike blackjack or video poker where player decisions affect the return, keno's RTP is fixed regardless of what you do. There is no optimal strategy to apply beyond the spot count decision. For players interested in table games with more decision-making, baccarat and craps both reward familiarity with the bet types.
The game suits players who want something quiet and self-paced. Each round is independent, there is no pressure to act quickly, and the basic mechanic is immediately understandable. For players who enjoy lottery-style play but want instant results, keno delivers that format in a casino context.
Mobile Play
iSoftBet's keno is fully playable on mobile browsers without a separate app. The 1-to-80 number grid scales to touchscreen layouts, and tapping to select spots works as cleanly as clicking on desktop. Round speed is the same on mobile - each draw completes in a few seconds. The game uses standard HTML5 delivery, so it runs on current iOS and Android devices without plugins.
Because keno rounds are short and self-contained, mobile play suits the format well. You can run one round at a time without needing to track a complex game state between sessions. To find casinos where iSoftBet keno is available on mobile, see the casino reviews.
Responsible Gambling Considerations
Keno's fast round speed is worth keeping in mind. A single round completes in a few seconds, which means it is easy to cycle through a session budget faster than you might with a table game or live dealer round. Setting a session limit before you play is sensible regardless of the game type.
The game's RNG certification means results are genuinely random. No pattern-spotting strategy has any mathematical basis. If you find yourself tracking numbers between rounds on the assumption that cold numbers are due, that is a misconception - each draw is independent.
Verdict
iSoftBet's keno is a clean, no-frills version of the game. The 97% RTP is one of the better figures available for this game type, and the traditional 1-80 grid format is the version most players will recognise. It does not try to add multiplier mechanics or progressive elements - it is keno in its standard form, which is a legitimate choice if that is what you are looking for.
The spot count decision is the only meaningful choice the game asks you to make, and that choice genuinely affects how the session plays out. Low spot counts give frequent small wins; high spot counts push towards low-frequency, high-payout outcomes. The 97% RTP applies across all configurations.
If you want a game that plays faster than live dealer tables and simpler than strategy-heavy card games, keno fits that role. It is not a complex experience, but it is not trying to be.
Where to Play Keno
We're currently updating our casino list for Keno. In the meantime, browse our full casino reviews or check out current free spins offers.
Keno RTP and Variance
Keno has an RTP of 97.00%, which is well above average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games.