In the vast ecosystem of casino games, Keno occupies a unique niche. It is a game with the soul of a lottery but the heart of a casino attraction—a slow-paced, high-anticipation numbers game that offers the tantalizing prospect of a massive payout from a small wager. While many associate it with the relaxed lounges of Las Vegas, the true Keno history is an epic tale that spans millennia, continents, and cultures. Its journey begins not under neon lights, but in the heart of ancient China, where it was created as a tool to fund an empire. This article explores the fascinating origins of Keno, its migration to America, and its evolution into the beloved casino classic we play today.
Ancient Chinese Origins
The origins of Keno are rooted in a blend of historical fact and enduring legend. The most famous story, though likely apocryphal, attributes the game’s invention to Cheung Leung, a ruler during the Han Dynasty over 2,000 years ago. According to the legend, his city was embroiled in a prolonged war, and his people refused to contribute more taxes to fund the army. To raise the necessary funds without imposing further taxes, Cheung Leung created a lottery-style numbers game. The game was so successful that it not only funded his military but also, as the legend famously claims, contributed to the financing of the Great Wall of China.
While the Great Wall connection is almost certainly a myth, the core of the story—that a state-run lottery was used for public funding—is historically plausible. The direct, verifiable ancestor of Keno is a game known as báigē piào (白鴿票), or the “White Pigeon Game.” This game, documented in the late 19th century but based on much older principles, used sheets printed with the first 80 characters of the “Thousand Character Classic,” a traditional Chinese text. Players would mark a selection of characters, and the winning results, drawn centrally, were dispatched to outlying towns and villages via carrier pigeons, hence the name. This system of choosing a subset of characters from a large pool is the undeniable blueprint for modern Keno.
Migration and Transformation
The answer to how did Keno come to America? lies in the great waves of Chinese immigration during the 19th century. Drawn by the Gold Rush and the massive labor demands of the Transcontinental Railroad, Chinese workers arrived on the West Coast, bringing their rich cultural traditions with them. Among these was their beloved numbers game.
In the burgeoning Chinese communities of cities like San Francisco, the game became known simply as the “Chinese Lottery.” It was more than just a gambling game; it was a vital social institution. It served as a source of entertainment, a way to raise money within the community, and a powerful social adhesive that connected immigrants in a new and often hostile land. The lottery results were posted in community hubs, and the game provided a shared cultural touchstone that reinforced their heritage while they built new lives in America.
Keno in American Casinos
For decades, the “Chinese Lottery” remained largely confined to Chinese communities. Its entry into the American mainstream began with the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931. Casino operators saw the potential in this simple, low-stakes game. However, at the time, lotteries were still illegal under Nevada law. To circumvent this, the game was cleverly renamed “Racehorse Keno,” with each of the 80 numbers on the ticket corresponding to a fictional racehorse. This framed the game as a racing event, making it legal to operate. The “racehorse” moniker was eventually dropped, but the name “Keno” stuck. The term is believed to derive from the French “quine,” meaning a group of five winning numbers.
Casinos marketed Keno perfectly. It was presented as a leisurely, low-pressure game that could be played anywhere in the casino—in dedicated Keno lounges, at restaurants, or even by the pool. Keno runners would circulate to collect tickets and deliver winnings, allowing players to participate without being tied to a specific table. This relaxed, accessible approach made it popular with a broad audience looking for a chance at a jackpot without the intensity of games like Craps or Blackjack.
Rules and Gameplay
Modern Keno is remarkably faithful to its ancient roots. The game is played with a card or screen featuring a grid of 80 numbers.
- Players choose a set of numbers, typically from 1 to 20 spots.
- They then place their wager.
- The casino then randomly draws 20 winning numbers using a Random Number Generator (RNG) or a traditional ball machine.
- Players are paid out based on how many of their chosen numbers match the drawn numbers (a “catch”). The more spots you catch, the higher the payout.
So, is Keno a lottery or casino game? It’s a hybrid. It uses a lottery-style draw mechanic, but its structure is purely casino-based. Key differences from state lotteries include:
- Fixed Payouts: Keno has a set pay table. The prize money does not depend on the number of players or ticket sales.
- Frequency: Casino Keno draws happen every few minutes, whereas state lotteries draw once or twice a week.
- High House Edge: Keno is known for having one of the highest house advantages in the casino, often ranging from 25% to 40%, making it a game of pure entertainment rather than strategic advantage.
Keno Today
Keno remains a fixture in land-based casinos, especially in Las Vegas, where dedicated Keno lounges continue to draw in players who appreciate its relaxed pace. However, the game’s biggest evolution has been in the digital realm. The rise of Video Keno in the 1980s and 90s transformed it into a fast-paced, single-player experience, similar to a slot machine. These machines are ubiquitous in Las Vegas bars and locals’ casinos.
Following this, the Keno online history began with the advent of internet casinos. Online Keno offers players instant draws, a wide variety of themes, and innovative features like bonus multipliers and progressive jackpots that can reach life-changing sums. Live Dealer Keno has also emerged, combining the convenience of online play with the authenticity of a live-streamed ball draw.
Cultural Significance
Keno’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience of culture. It is a direct cultural export of the Chinese diaspora, a game that traveled across an ocean and adapted to a new world without losing its essential character. For many, it remains a tangible link to Chinese heritage. Furthermore, the game often reflects the cultural importance of numerology in China. While statistically every number has an equal chance of being drawn, many traditional players will choose numbers based on their perceived luck, such as 8 (associated with wealth) or 9 (associated with longevity), while avoiding unlucky numbers like 4 (which sounds like the word for “death”).
Conclusion
Keno’s journey is one of the most remarkable in the history of gambling. It began as an innovative tool for public finance in ancient China, served as a cultural anchor for immigrants building a new life in America, and evolved into a globally recognized casino and online game. It stands as a perfect example of how a simple idea—choosing numbers and hoping for a match—can transcend time, borders, and technology to become an enduring classic on the casino floor.
FAQs
Who invented Keno?
There is no single credited inventor. The game evolved from ancient Chinese lottery games. The most famous legend attributes its creation to Cheung Leung of the Han Dynasty as a way to fund his state, but this is largely considered a myth. Its direct ancestor is the 19th-century “White Pigeon Game.”
Is it true Keno funded the Great Wall?
This is a popular and romantic legend, but there is no historical evidence to support it. The story likely emerged as a way to emphasize the game’s ancient origins and its historical importance as a fundraising tool in China.
How does Keno differ from a lottery?
Keno differs from traditional lotteries in three main ways: Keno draws happen every few minutes versus weekly, payouts are fixed and don’t depend on ticket sales, and the house advantage is generally much higher than in state-run lotteries.
Where can you play Keno today?
You can play Keno in many land-based casinos, often in dedicated Keno lounges or on Video Keno machines. It is also widely available at online casinos, both as a standard digital game and sometimes as a Live Dealer game with a real ball draw.