Lotto

About Lotto

The National Lottery is a game of chance wherein a player can predict the results of a lucky draw and win money based on the number of numbers they predicted correctly. You can either choose your numbers or use the Quick Pick option, where a machine that generates random numbers does it for you.

With the first draw occurring on March 11, 2000, Lotto was the first National Lottery game introduced in South Africa and it has been one of the best gambles. Before a second weekly draw was added on Wednesday in October 2001, the game was initially only played on Saturdays. At first, you had to select your numbers from a list of 49 options.

Lotto draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday at approximately 20:56.

How Does Lotto Work

You need to select 6 numbers from 1 to 52. A Bonus Ball that is selected at the draw is also automatically assigned to you when you enter a draw. There are 8 prize divisions and when the Bonus Ball is drawn, the prize winnings in 4 of those divisions are increased.

The lottery announces an estimated jackpot based on anticipated ticket sales for the upcoming draw when a jackpot is won. If the jackpot is not claimed, the prize rolls over and is increased for the next draw’s jackpot.

How To Play Lotto

Lotto can be played by people over the age of 18. There is various way that one can enter the draw, either online or at the store.

How to play Lotto Online

1. Create a new account or sign in with an existing one.
2. Choose six numbers randomly from 1 to 52 or use the Quick Pick option.
3. Decide whether to play Lotto Plus 1 or Lotto Plus 2. You must first play Lotto Plus 1 if you want to play Lotto Plus 2.
4. Decide whether you want to pay for a recurring subscription or how many draws you want to enter.
5. Continue to pay and make your entry payments.
6. Your numbers will be saved in your online account and your entry will be confirmed via email.

How to play Lotto in-Store

1. Obtain a bet slip from any retailer of lottery tickets.
2. Check the Lotto Plus 1 box at the top of the bet slip if you want to participate in the Lotto Plus 1 game.
3. Check the Lotto Plus 2 box at the top of the bet slip if you want to play Lotto Plus 2.
4. Select six numbers between 1 and 52. Use as many boards as you like to do this. For a random selection of numbers, choose the Quick Pick option.
5. Indicate how many draws you want to participate in by writing a number at the top of the bet slip. You don’t have to do this if you only want to participate in one draw.
6. Fill in your name, identification number, and address on the back of your ticket. This will be needed if you need to claim a prize.
7. Pay for your tickets at the till and keep your slip safe.
8. To find out if you won, watch the upcoming Lotto draw on SABC 2 on Wednesday and Saturday at 20:56.

Major South African banks like FNB, Nedbank, and Standard Bank all have websites and apps where you can play the Lotto. You can do this by logging into your bank account and choosing one of the options “play Lotto” or “purchase Lotto”. Choose the numbers you want to play, or use the quick pick option, and then confirm your purchase.

Each board is priced at R5, plus an additional R2.50 for Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2. Both Lotto Plus draws and a full Lotto entry cost R10.00. On each day of the draw, ticket sales end at 8:00 p.m.

You won’t miss out on the prize because you’ll be informed if you win. It’s possible that you’ll be contacted to verify your claim for larger prizes, like jackpots.

What is Lotto Plus

Two additional lottery games that are played in addition to the main Lotto draw are collectively referred to as Lotto Plus. You can choose to participate in just Lotto Plus 1 or both Plus draws; entry is optional but costs extra. To play Lotto Plus, you must enter the main Lotto draw, and you cannot play Lotto Plus 2 without first playing Plus 1.

If you do enter, you can play these extra games using the numbers you selected for the main draw. The rules remain the same; to win prizes, match your numbers with the winning line; larger prizes are given for matching more numbers.

How To Win Lotto

Simply match the numbers on your ticket to the winning numbers drawn to win a Lotto prize. You win more money if you match more numbers. There are eight prize categories, the bottom two have fixed amounts of R20 and R50 each.

There are 20,358,520 different combinations that can be played when choosing 6 out of 52 numbers and the order in which the numbers are chosen does not matter.

How To Claim Your Lotto Winnings

Winnings can be claimed differently depending on how you entered the draw and the prize amount won. If you played via the retailer and won not more than R2000, you can claim at the retailer.

Prizes valued between R2,001 and R49,999 may be redeemed at your local post office. You must submit an official Prize Claim Form, which is available at any post office, if you win R50,000 or more and once your entry has been verified, you will have to visit any of Ithuba’s regional offices to collect your winnings in person.

You may still be eligible for your prize even if your winning ticket was tampered with in any way, whether it was torn, damaged, or even lost. Ithuba will look into any claims for damaged or lost tickets; if computer records and CCTV footage match the information you provide, your claim may still be valid.

If you made an online purchase and won through the bank, your winnings will be automatically transferred into your bank account without your intervention.  For prizes worth more than R50,000 you will be required to fill out the prize claim form and go to the Ithuba regional offices.

If you don’t claim your prize within 365 days, 50% of it will be donated to South African charities through the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

Can Foreigners Play Lotto?

Yes, foreigners are allowed to participate in the Lottery. However, for prize claims they will have to meet certain criteria, which include having a passport and legal permit as the money can only be deposited into a South African bank account.