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Play Free Keno
The word "Keno" has French or Latin roots (Fr. quine five winning numbers, L. quini five each), but
by all accounts the game originated in China over 2000 years ago. Legend has it that the invention of
the game saved an ancient city in time of war, and its widespread popularity helped raise funds to
build the Great Wall. According to one source, results of Keno games in great cities were sent to
outlying villages and hamlets by carrier pigeon. Eventually, Chinese immigrants introduced Keno
to the West when they sailed across the Pacific to help build the American trans-continental
railroad in the 19th century. Keno is similar to lotto games, in that players have a card or ticket with numbers that are
selected in hopes of matching the numbered balls that are drawn during play. Early Keno games l
ooked for a match of five numbers to win. Some Keno dealers used a large jar with a long, thin
neck to tumble the balls. The neck was just wide enough to permit only one ball at time to flow,
thus eliminating any argument about which number was drawn. For obvious reasons, this jar was called the "Keno goose".
Play keno at one of our casinos
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