Keno is a game all Aussies love, simply pick a few numbers, cross your fingers, draw comes round, and boom if you’re lucky, you land a nice payout. But if you’re in Queensland you might be wondering: can you play Keno online, what rules you need to follow, and what are the biggest wins there have been? If you’re playing at Joe Fortune this is everything you need to know about Keno in Queensland, how it works, where’s best to play online, and the kind of wins some legends have scored. Let’s get into it.
Can you bet on Keno online in Australia?
Online casinos like Joe Fortune offer Keno and Keno-style games that follow the same basic principles: you pick your numbers, watch the draw, and see if you’ve matched enough to win. While some games are technically a little bit different from the traditional Keno you play in a venue, these games offer similar gameplay and payouts, just with their own unique twists. All Queensland residents and Australian-based players should ensure fair play and secure payments at a safe online casino when playing Keno.

How to play Keno in Queensland
Whether you’re playing Keno online or at your local pub, the game works the same way and that’s what makes it so popular so here’s a step-by-step on how to play:
Step 1: Pick Your Numbers
You’ll see a board with numbers from 1 to 80. Choose how many you want to play — anywhere from 1 to 15 numbers (known as “Picks”).
Step 2: Place Your Bet
Decide how much you want to wager. Your potential win depends on your stake, the number of Picks, and how many Hits (matching numbers) you get during the draw.
Step 3: Wait for the Draw
The game randomly selects 20 numbers from the pool of 80. These are the winning numbers. If your Picks match any of the drawn numbers, you get Hits.
Step 4: Payout Time
Your payout is based on the number of Hits you land and how many numbers you originally picked. More Hits generally lead to bigger wins.
Keno Draw Pay table: How Payouts Work
Let’s say you make 15 Picks on a single game. Based on a $1 wager, here’s an example of the kind of payouts you might see:
- 0 Hits – $2
- 7 Hits – $12
- 8 Hits – $30
- 9 Hits – $140
- 10 Hits – $600
- 11 Hits – $2,800
- 12 Hits – $25,000
- 13 Hits – $50,000
- 14 Hits – $100,000
- 15 Hits – $100,000
Even hitting zero numbers can sometimes win you a small prize, depending on the game rules.
Keep in mind, these payouts are examples and can vary between different platforms. At Aussie casino Joe Fortune for instance, all Keno-style games will show your potential payouts on-screen before you lock in your bet.

What is the biggest Keno win in Queensland?
Queenslanders have had some impressive Keno wins over the years, with plenty of life-changing payouts making headlines. Some of the biggest include:
• A $5.9 million prize shared by three long-time mates from Cairns who picked a winning 10-spot in Keno Mega Millions, talk about lucky.
• A man from Kallangur won over $8.4 million by playing the same numbers in both Keno Classic and Mega Millions. Incredibly, he hit the jackpot in both games!
• A Crow’s Nest punter walked away with $5.5 million from a single 10-spot draw, that’s not bad for a regular day at the pub.
• A Townsville bloke pocketed more than $4.4 million using a Bonus multiplier, proving that a little extra can go a long way.
These wins were from physical venues, but as more Aussies move online, there is the chance to win some ripper jackpots for players who live and play Keno in Queensland.
Can you play Keno online in Queensland for free?
The good news is that yes, you can! Free Keno Games do exist online, especially on platforms that offer demo versions of their games such as the popular online casino Joe Fortune. This allows you to play for fun without wagering real money. However, any winnings you earn in demo mode can’t be cashed out for real money, but free-play versions are a great way to:
- Practise the game
- Learn how Picks and Hits work
- Understand potential payouts
- Test different strategies
If you’re new to the game or online casinos, it’s smart to play a few free rounds before wagering real money. Joe Fortune offers many Keno-style games as well as Keno in practice mode option, so you can give it a go without risk. Just remember… to win real money, you’ll need to play with real stakes.
Odds and Strategies: Hits, Picks and Payouts
Keno is a pure game of chance but understanding how Hits and Picks affect the odds can help you make smarter decisions so here at Joe Fortune we have some general tips:
Fewer Picks = Better Odds, Smaller Wins
If you choose only 2 to 5 numbers, the chance of hitting at least a few of them is relatively high. Your wins won’t be massive, but you’re more likely to walk away with something. This is a more conservative way to play.
More Picks = Bigger Wins, Lower Odds
Going for 10, 12 or 15 Picks gives you access to the largest payouts, including six-figure jackpots. But the odds of hitting more than 10 numbers correctly are extremely slim. For instance, the chance of hitting 7 out of 15 numbers is about 3.25% whilst hitting all 15 is roughly 1 in 428 billion! And that’s why many players aim to hit between 7 to 9 numbers, not the jackpot, but it is still a sizeable win.
Use On-Screen Payout Tools
When playing online, most Keno games such as those at Joe Fortune display the potential winnings based on your Picks and bet size before you lock in.
Considerations Before Playing Keno in Queensland
If you’re going to play Keno in Queensland, make sure your local pub or club is:
- Fully licensed so you can enjoy playing with a couple of cold ones
- Transparent about odds, payouts and the mechanics of the game
- Equipped with responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion and support links
- If you prefer to play, online make sure you online casino allows you to play for free and with real Aussie dollars, has some great promotions and makes it clear and easy to withdraw your winnings

Final Thoughts
Keno has always been a pub and club favourite in Queensland, but thanks to technology, you can now enjoy it online safely when playing at legit casinos. You don’t need to be a maths genius or have any special tricks. Just pick your numbers, place your bet, and let the draw do the rest. Whether you’re seeking a quick $10 win or dreaming of a million-dollar jackpot, it’s a fun and easy way to have a punt with your mates or family.
Quick Recap:
- You can legally play Keno in Queensland.
- Pick between 1 and 15 numbers from an 80-number grid.
- The more numbers you match, the bigger the payout.
- Free Keno games exist for fun, but not for real money wins.
- Use online paytable tools to understand your potential returns.
- Always play on reputable sites and venues for fair play and safety.
If you want to play a Keno game in Queensland online now either for real money or for free in practice mode then simply visit Joe Fortune today.