Keno is originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. It was created to raise finances, much like today’s lotteries in the United States.

Original Keno ticket used 120 characters, before the game left China, that number was reduced to 90. The game came to America with the wave of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century. These were mostly the Chinese railroad workers of folklore. About this time the game was reduced to 80 Chinese characters.

Players made 10 selections, marked with an ink brush, leading to today’s term, Keno Spots. The quickest and most dependable manner of delivering results throughout China’s villages was via carrier pigeon.

Keno was brought to the United States in the 19th century by Chinese immigrants who worked in the mines and on the railroads. The Chinese symbols were eventually replaced with numbers and, more to the player’s benefit, the 120 characters reduced to only eighty.