When people think of betting on games of chance, usually card action, roulette, or slot machines are the first things to come to mind. While most do not perceive lotteries as traditional gambling, they not only qualify as such but are likely the most established and widely accepted form of this pastime.
One of the most popular options from the random draw genre is undoubtedly keno. It is a game that often gets offered by national/state lotteries and modern gaming venues. Note that, nowadays, everything that is available at brick-and-mortar gambling locales is also on hand at internet gaming platforms. Thus, online keno is very accessible in the USA, and its prizes are comparable to those offered by Las Vegas establishments and state draws.
Keno’s gameplay consists of players usually picking between five and twenty numbers from one to eighty and winning a reward if their selection matches numbers drawn by a machine or software above a specific amount. Keno games use predefined paytables, and in most cases, the awarded jackpots correspond to the hit percentage.
Despite people considering this lotto-style gambling option somewhat niche, it has its fans and has been responsible for making hundreds, if not thousands of millionaires, throughout this past century. Below, we recant some recent massive jackpots keno has managed to produce.
Melbourne Mom Wins $9.1 Million
In late November 2020, the life of a mom from a northern suburb in Melbourne changed for the better, as she landed a terrific Christmas surprise in the form of a $9.1 million keno jackpot. The woman who wished to remain anonymous claimed a $6.8 million base reward using her favorite numbers, and she hit the seven, eight, and nine slots to bring her total winnings to a grand jackpot of $9.1 million. According to her official statement given to the Keno Mega Millions Australian lottery – “The win could not have come at a better time.” She added that with the money won, she plans on buying each of her children a house and helping some friends in need.
Newcastle Man Snags $7.9 Million
Here is the story of another Keno Mega Millions jackpot claimed in August 2018 by a man from Newcastle, playing at the Northumberland Hotel in Lambton. The anonymous winner proclaimed that he is a big believer in fate and that it took a while for the realization of what he had won to sink in, which, at that time, was the biggest cash prize in Australian keno history. He celebrated the $7.9 million jackpot with his family and promised that his newly attained fortune would not change him. To obtain this life-altering prize, the man played thirteen $2 games, where his selected numbers were 6, 7, 9, 10, 25, 26, 41, 43, 75, and 77.
Mystery Queensland Player Takes Home $5.9 Million
As you may tell by now, keno winners often like to keep their identity a mystery. So is the case with three friends from Far North Queensland who became overnight millionaires in November 2019. They did so by collecting a $5.9 million jackpot on one Keno Mega Millions 10 spot ticket. The group made their winning purchase at a sports bar on Mulgrave Road in Cairns, Queensland. The funny thing about this story is that they did not even realize that they had won the mega prize until news in the area spread that there was a new mystery keno millionaire. Once they caught wind of these rumblings, they decided to check one of their tickets played after work and saw that they were the lucky winners. The trio’s numbers got chosen by one member of the group, as they decided on a whim to forego their usual quick-pick selection and go with hand-picked digits.
Queensland Tradie Pockets $5.1 Million
Queensland seems to be the place to be for experiencing keno magic. In May 2019, an anonymous middle-aged man bought a 10 Spot ticket in Mackay at Magpies Sporting Club and snagged himself a $5.1 million jackpot. The man stated that keno had been a long-time hobby and that he had continuously been playing the same set of numbers, consisting mainly of family members’ birthdays. However, all that brought was $800 worth in prizes until now. In a brief press release following his win, he stated he might retire. He also added that he plans to prepare his children’s futures and look after his family with his winnings after settling from the emotional shock of his jackpot win.
About the Author
Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by OUSC. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.