Keno and Kiwi Culture: How the Game Reflects New Zealand’s Gambling Landscape
Keno is among the latest official entrants into the New Zealand betting scene, but its influence on the culture is already worth its mark. Read on to find out why.
Societies throughout the world have played Keno for generations. The Han Dynasty under Cheung Leung came up with this pastime in the 2nd century BC. Fast forward to today, the timeless classic is now among the oldest casino games in play across different parts of the world.
Interestingly, despite its ancient roots, this entertainment is among the youngest entrants into New Zealand’s gambling culture. Yet, the game has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, mainly owing to the popularity of licensed and regulated Kiwi-serving iGaming sites like the Mr Bet Casino online. It’s a beloved pastime for Kiwi gamblers that continues to etch an undeniable impact.
Blast From the Past
At its core, Keno is a lottery game with a hint of bingo as it follows its popular format. It joined Lotto New Zealand in 1994 to become the fourth game to enter the nation’s regulatory body, which was then referred to as the New Zealand Lotteries Commission. To be more specific, it came after Lotto Strike, Scratchcards, and Instant Kiwi, which joined in 1989, 1993, and 1994, respectively. A decade later, it is now among the most played lottery-style games in the Pacific islands occupied by Kiwis.
While nothing much has changed since the game entered the NZ betting scene, its presence has been vital to multiple industry developments. For instance, Lotto New Zealand launched MyLotto on May 26, 2008 — a digital sales channel where rollers could buy tickets. This development applied to Bullseye, Lotto, and Keno players.
February 2019 saw the game achieve the primary and only real change. It acquired a new add-on dubbed the Keno Multiplier. When you add the multiplier to your ticket, it’ll apply to all draws and lines. The resultant multiplier number then applies to your winnings. In case you were wondering, here are the five possible multiplier numbers and their odds for this entertainment:
Multiplier | Odd |
1.5 | 1 in 1.9 |
2 | 1 in 3 |
3 | 1 in 12.3 |
5 | 1 in 21.5 |
10 | 1 in 86 |
Why Is It So Popular in New Zealand?
It’s hard not to love this game. NZ gamblers seeking the ultimate rush consider it a top-of-the-list item, and it’s clear why. Here are the leading attractions to this classic lottery game:
Straightforwardness: The rules are easy to understand. Freshly starting beginners and seasoned players seeking a break from strategy-based table games can easily navigate and play competitively;
Self-Paced Gameplay: The game’s outcomes depend on luck, but you still have gameplay control. You can play with your preferred pace and choose a tolerable risk level to match your wager and selected numbers;
High Availability: Casinos gain excellent customer retention and revenue generation potential from this entertainment. Players can easily find platforms offering the game throughout New Zealand;
Fun: It offers NZ gamblers endless entertainment. The thrill of the gut feeling when selecting numbers is unmatched, and making matches is truly satisfying;
Mobile Compatibility: All reputable online casinos in New Zealand use HTML5 technology that is compatible with smartphones and tablets. Today, more players participate in this exciting entertainment since they don’t have to commute to a brick-and-mortar gaming venue. They can simply play via a PC or mobile device across all operating systems.
Popular Keno Variants in New Zealand
This entertainment has been around for centuries, so it’s evident that the game has multiple variants. New Zealanders are accustomed to the following spinoffs of the captivating lottery-style game:
Caveman Keno: NZ players love this prehistoric-themed variant for its three-wildcard numbers. You’ll pick these digits before each draw and win a multiplier if you match two of these numbers;
Cleopatra Keno: This popular entertainment establishes a marked spot for each round. If you hit the spot with the last ball, you earn 12 free games;
Klub Keno: You’ll love this variant’s unique StarBall that grants a double payout when it lands on any of your numbers;
Power Keno: This variant stands out with its multiple-card game that lets you play multiple cards simultaneously. It’s like playing bingo with various cards to dab;
Superball Keno: The Superball feature is the greatest attraction in this variant. It grants an x4 multiplier when it hits.
A Fantastic Future for NZ Keno Lovers
The game’s prominence in the Kiwi culture isn’t out of the blue. NZ casino lovers throughout the country love its unique blend of proficiency and luck, which gets their adrenaline pumping whenever they play. These, combined with immense potential for huge rewards, continuously draw participants from all backgrounds. For sure, we can expect more mesmerising gaming experiences in the local gambling culture with ongoing innovation and tech advancements.
