Keno progressives: a growing top prize
A keno progressive is a top prize that grows with every qualifying ticket until someone hits it. In live keno it usually needs a set ticket, often an 8, 9 or 10-spot, at a set price.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01Only qualifying tickets can win the meter, usually catch-all on 8 to 10 spots.
- 02Many progressives need a minimum or max bet, for example $2 a game.
- 03Odds of catching 10 of 10 are about 1 in 8.9 million.
Key numbers
Keno progressives in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- Read the progressive rules on the keno brochure.
- The meter only pays if you play the qualifying ticket at the required price.
- A bigger meter improves value but the odds stay the same.
- Big wins bring tax paperwork at the cage.
Progress
How a keno progressive grows
- 1
Seed
The casino sets a starting amount
- 2
Contributions
A slice of each qualifying ticket
- 3
Meter rises
Shown in the lounge and on boards
- 4
Hit
A player catches all spots
- 5
Reset
Meter returns to the seed
Linked meters can span several casinos.
Odds of catching every spot
| Spots marked | Catch all | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 of 6 | 7,753 |
| 7 | 7 of 7 | 40,979 |
| 8 | 8 of 8 | 230,115 |
| 9 | 9 of 9 | 1,380,688 |
| 10 | 10 of 10 | 8,911,711 |
Odds per game with 20 of 80 balls drawn.
Which tickets qualify
Each keno lounge publishes its own progressive rules. A common setup ties the meter to straight 8, 9 or 10-spot tickets played at $1 or $2. Way tickets, multi-race tickets or lower bets may win only the fixed top prize.
If the brochure says the progressive requires a $2 wager, a $1 ticket that catches 8 of 8 wins the fixed pay, not the meter.
Fixed prize vs progressive (example)
| Ticket | Catch | Pays |
|---|---|---|
| 8-spot, $1 | 8 of 8 | Fixed $10,000 (example) |
| 8-spot, $2 | 8 of 8 | Progressive meter |
| 8-spot, $2 | 7 of 8 | Fixed pay |
| Way ticket | 8 of 8 | Check rules |
Numbers are examples; every casino sets its own.
Linked and single-casino meters
Some casinos run a progressive for one lounge. Others link several properties, sometimes across a company, which makes the meter grow faster and reach larger sums.
Video keno machines can also have progressives, often for catching 8 or more spots on a machine or a bank of machines.
Sequence
Before you chase a keno progressive
Step 01
Read the brochure
Find the qualifying ticket.
Step 02
Check the bet size
Many require $2 or more.
Step 03
Mark the right number of spots
Usually 8, 9 or 10.
Step 04
Keep your ticket safe
It is your receipt.
Step 05
Claim before the next game ends
Many lounges set a short window.
Claiming a big keno win
Live keno tickets usually must be cashed before a set time, often before the next game or within a stated window. Read the time limit on the ticket or brochure.
For large wins, staff verify your ticket and ID, and the cage issues a W-2G form. The IRS threshold for keno was $1,500 for years and is $2,000 for 2026; check current rules.
Floor rules
Progressive terms
Know before you sit
- Seed
- Starting value after a hit.
- Meter
- The current jackpot amount.
- Qualifying ticket
- The ticket that can win the meter.
- Linked
- Shared across lounges or casinos.
Keno progressives and Nevada rules
In Nevada, keno games and their pay tables are approved by the state, and progressive meters must be displayed. Similar rules apply in other states with live keno.
If a meter is shown, the casino must pay that amount on a qualifying winning ticket.
Chance per 1,000 games (rough)
| Ticket | Catch all in 1,000 games |
|---|---|
| 6-spot | About 1 in 8 |
| 8-spot | About 1 in 230 |
| 10-spot | About 1 in 8,900 |
Rough chance of at least one hit.
Common mistakes
- Playing the wrong price
- Check the minimum bet.
- Marking too few spots
- The meter needs a set number.
- Missing the claim window
- Cash winners quickly.
- Believing hot numbers
- Draws are random.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
What is a keno progressive?
A top prize that grows with each qualifying ticket until a player catches all spots.
Which tickets qualify?
Usually 8, 9 or 10-spot tickets at a set price; read the brochure. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Can a $1 ticket win it?
Only if the rules allow it; many require $2. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
02Odds
What are the odds of 10 of 10?
About 1 in 8.9 million per game. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Does a bigger meter change the odds?
No. A bigger meter only raises the prize; the chance of catching every spot stays the same.
Are video keno progressives easier?
Odds of catching spots are the same; the qualifier may differ. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
03Winning
How do I claim it?
Bring the ticket and ID to the keno counter before the claim deadline. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Will I get a tax form?
Yes. A large keno win brings a W-2G at the cage. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Is the jackpot paid at once?
Most are paid at once; some large ones may be paid over time. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Keno Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 15, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
- IRS — Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 · accessed Oct 15, 2026Gambling win reporting thresholds
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER