Lotto vs PowerBall vs Daily Lotto: South Africa Comparison
A clear comparison of all three main National Lottery games: odds, prize tiers, costs, draw frequency and which game suits different goals.
Quick comparison table
| Feature | Lotto | PowerBall | Daily Lotto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers to pick | 6 from 52 | 5 from 50 + PB from 20 | 5 from 36 |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 20,358,520 | 1 in 42,375,200 | 1 in 376,992 |
| Draw days | Wed & Sat | Tue & Fri | Every day |
| Ticket cost | R5 per board | R5 per board | R3 per board |
| Add-on available | Plus 1 & Plus 2 (+R2.50 each) | PowerBall Plus (+R2.50) | None |
| Typical jackpot | R2m-R50m | R10m-R200m+ | R1m-R5m |
| Prize divisions | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| Minimum jackpot | R2,000,000 | R10,000,000 | Not guaranteed |
| Fixed prizes available | Division 8 (R15) | Divisions 8 & 9 | None |
Lotto in detail
Lotto is the original South African National Lottery game and the most widely played. You choose 6 numbers from 1 to 52. The jackpot starts at R2 million and rolls over when unclaimed, reaching tens of millions in popular draws. The bonus ball (drawn from the same pool of 52) extends the winning combinations for divisions 2 and 6.
Best for:
- Players who want a higher probability of winning the jackpot compared to PowerBall.
- Those who want to add Lotto Plus games for additional chances at the same draw.
- Twice-weekly entertainment at R5 per board.
PowerBall in detail
PowerBall offers a distinct two-pool mechanic: pick 5 from 1-50, then a separate PowerBall from 1-20. This separate pool creates a much larger jackpot matrix (1 in 42 million) and allows for bigger rollover jackpots. SA PowerBall jackpots have exceeded R200 million. The 9-division prize structure means more ways to win something, even without matching all numbers.
Best for:
- Players chasing very large jackpots during rollover cycles.
- Those who prefer more prize divisions and more ways to win smaller amounts.
- Twice-weekly entertainment with potential for career-changing jackpots.
Daily Lotto in detail
Daily Lotto is the newcomer to the National Lottery portfolio, introduced in 2019. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 36. The smaller pool and fewer numbers to match mean jackpot odds of 1 in 376,992 - far better than Lotto or PowerBall. The trade-off is a much smaller jackpot pool, usually in the R1-R5 million range. Tickets are R3, making Daily Lotto the cheapest and most frequent lottery game.
Best for:
- Players who want to play every day at low cost.
- Those who prefer the highest probability of winning the top prize.
- A quick, simple 5-number game without add-ons or bonus balls.
Which game should I play?
Play Daily Lotto. At 1 in 376,992, the jackpot is 54× more likely to be won than Lotto and 112× more likely than PowerBall.
Play PowerBall during a rollover cycle. SA PowerBall jackpots have exceeded R200 million.
Play Lotto. Better jackpot odds than PowerBall with jackpots commonly reaching R20-R50 million.
Play Daily Lotto at R3 per board, drawn every single day including weekends.
Remember: No lottery game offers a positive financial return. The expected value of every ticket across all games is negative - that is how lottery prize pools are funded alongside good-cause contributions. Play only what you can afford to lose for entertainment. If play is causing financial or emotional harm, call 0800 006 008 (free, 24/7).
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your goal. Lotto offers better jackpot odds (1 in 20 million vs 1 in 42 million) but typically has smaller jackpots. PowerBall jackpots roll over longer and can reach R200 million-plus, but you are far less likely to win. Daily Lotto offers the best odds of any game (1 in 376,992) but the smallest prizes.
No. Lotto and PowerBall are separate games requiring separate tickets. However, you can add Lotto Plus 1 and Plus 2 to a Lotto entry, or PowerBall Plus to a PowerBall entry, for additional chances using the same numbers.
Across all prize divisions, the National Lottery does not publish overall return-to-player statistics. Based on prize pool allocation, approximately 50% of ticket revenue is returned to players as prizes. Daily Lotto, PowerBall, and Lotto all allocate similar proportions. No lottery game offers a positive expected return - they are designed as entertainment products that also fund good causes.