The South African National Lottery is a state-licensed lottery system, launched in 2000, and operated by Ithuba Holdings. It offers multiple games, including Lotto, Lotto Plus, PowerBall, and Daily Lotto, giving players a chance to win millions with a simple ticket purchase.

To play, you choose six numbers from 1 to 52 and buy a ticket from an authorized retailer or online. Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday, and prizes are awarded based on how many numbers you match.

Players must be 18 years or older to legally purchase a lottery ticket in South Africa.

Yes, players can pre-purchase tickets for multiple draws in advance using the Multi-Draw option, which ensures participation in future draws without needing to buy tickets for each one separately.

If playing at a retailer, errors can be corrected by filling in a new playslip before purchase. Once a ticket is printed, it cannot be changed, so double-checking before finalizing your purchase is crucial.

Tickets can be purchased at retailers, supermarkets, petrol stations, and official lottery kiosks. Online purchases are available through the Ithuba website and mobile apps.

No, official SA Lotto tickets must be bought within South Africa. However, some third-party betting sites allow international players to wager on the outcomes.

No, South African law prohibits purchasing lottery tickets with a credit card. Players can use debit cards, cash, or online banking.

Yes, as long as you use the official Ithuba website or approved banking apps. Avoid third-party websites claiming to sell official tickets, as they may not be legitimate.

No, once a ticket is purchased, it cannot be refunded or canceled. Be sure to confirm your numbers and draw selection before completing your purchase.

Lotto draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 20:56 SAST, and PowerBall draws occur on Tuesdays and Fridays at 21:00 SAST.

Results are available on the official National Lottery website, mobile apps, and major newspapers. Some TV stations also broadcast the draws live.

If multiple winners match all numbers, the jackpot is split equally among them.

Yes, the draws are broadcast live on E.tv, and results are also posted on the National Lottery website shortly after the draw.

Yes, every draw is independently audited by external firms to ensure fairness and prevent manipulation.

Prizes up to R2,000 can be claimed at any retailer. Winnings between R2,001 and R50,000 must be claimed at a post office, while amounts over R50,000 require a claim at the National Lottery office.

No, lottery winnings in South Africa are tax-free, but if you invest or earn interest from the money, you may be liable for tax on those earnings.

Winners have 365 days from the draw date to claim their prize. If unclaimed, the money is returned to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for charitable causes.

Yes, but they must present a signed letter of authorization, the winning ticket, and valid identification of both parties.

Yes, winners of large prizes are offered financial and legal consultation to help them manage their winnings wisely.

The odds of winning the SA Lotto jackpot are 1 in 20,358,520, making it easier to win than international lotteries like PowerBall (1 in 292 million).

No, each number has an equal probability of being drawn. However, avoiding common number patterns (such as 1,2,3,4,5,6) can reduce the chances of splitting the prize with multiple winners.

While the lottery is purely random, players can increase their chances by joining a lottery syndicate, which pools money to buy more tickets.

While some numbers may seem to appear more frequently, every draw is random, and past results have no impact on future draws.

Unless you purchased your ticket online, lost physical tickets cannot be recovered, and you may be unable to claim your prize.

Legitimate lottery officials never ask winners for upfront fees. Be cautious of calls, emails, or messages claiming you’ve won a lottery you didn’t enter. Always check your ticket against official results.

If you purchased the ticket at a retailer and it is lost, your winnings may be forfeited. Online players have secure digital records of their tickets, ensuring no loss.

No, all tickets belong to the player who purchased them. If a retailer tries to claim your prize, report the incident to the National Lottery Commission immediately.

No, the lottery is heavily regulated, and all draws are conducted under strict security protocols and independent auditing to ensure fairness.

Scammers often use fake lottery winnings as a trick to steal personal details. If you haven’t entered a draw, you haven’t won—ignore and report the message.