National Lottery South Africa: Complete Guide
Official games, draw schedules, prize tiers, how to play, how to claim and responsible play guidance. All information relates to the official Ithuba National Lottery only.
All National Lottery games at a glance
| Game | Pick | Pool | Draw Days | Ticket Cost | Jackpot Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotto | 6 numbers | 1-52 | Wed & Sat | R5 per board | 1 in 20,358,520 |
| Lotto Plus 1 | Same as Lotto | 1-52 | Wed & Sat | +R2.50 | 1 in 20,358,520 |
| Lotto Plus 2 | Same as Lotto | 1-52 | Wed & Sat | +R2.50 | 1 in 20,358,520 |
| PowerBall | 5 + PowerBall | 1-50 + 1-20 | Tue & Fri | R5 per board | 1 in 42,375,200 |
| PowerBall Plus | Same as PowerBall | 1-50 + 1-20 | Tue & Fri | +R2.50 | 1 in 42,375,200 |
| Daily Lotto | 5 numbers | 1-36 | Every day | R3 per board | 1 in 376,992 |
How to play Lotto
Lotto is the flagship National Lottery game. Each board costs R5 and draws are held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Tickets are sold until 20:30 on draw days.
- Choose 6 numbers from 1 to 52, or select QuickPick for a random selection.
- Optionally add Lotto Plus 1 (+R2.50) and Lotto Plus 2 (+R2.50) to enter two additional draws using the same numbers.
- Purchase your ticket at a licensed retailer or on the official Ithuba website or app.
- Keep your ticket safe - it is the proof of purchase required to claim any prize.
Lotto prize tiers
| Match | Prize Division | Approximate Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 6 of 6 | Division 1 (Jackpot) | Rollover pool - minimum R2 million |
| 5 of 6 + Bonus | Division 2 | ~R150,000-R400,000 |
| 5 of 6 | Division 3 | ~R5,000-R15,000 |
| 4 of 6 + Bonus | Division 4 | ~R2,000-R4,000 |
| 4 of 6 | Division 5 | ~R100-R200 |
| 3 of 6 + Bonus | Division 6 | ~R50-R100 |
| 3 of 6 | Division 7 | ~R20-R50 |
| 2 of 6 + Bonus | Division 8 | R15 fixed |
Prizes in divisions 1-7 are pari-mutuel (shared among winners in each division). Division 8 is a fixed R15 prize. Actual amounts vary by draw.
How to play PowerBall
PowerBall draws are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Tickets cost R5 per board. You choose 5 main numbers from 1-50 and 1 PowerBall from 1-20.
- Select 5 main numbers from 1 to 50.
- Select 1 PowerBall number from 1 to 20.
- Optionally add PowerBall Plus (+R2.50) using the same numbers.
- Match all 5 main numbers plus the PowerBall to win the jackpot.
PowerBall prize tiers
| Match | Division | Approximate Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + PowerBall | Division 1 (Jackpot) | Rollover - minimum R10 million |
| 5 (no PB) | Division 2 | ~R500,000-R1,500,000 |
| 4 + PowerBall | Division 3 | ~R20,000-R60,000 |
| 4 (no PB) | Division 4 | ~R1,000-R2,000 |
| 3 + PowerBall | Division 5 | ~R500-R1,000 |
| 3 (no PB) | Division 6 | ~R50-R100 |
| 2 + PowerBall | Division 7 | ~R25-R50 |
| 1 + PowerBall | Division 8 | R15 fixed |
| PowerBall only | Division 9 | R10 fixed |
Daily Lotto
Daily Lotto is drawn every day of the year, including weekends and public holidays. Each board costs R3. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 36. Tickets close at 20:30 each evening. Prizes are pari-mutuel across 5 divisions based on how many numbers you match.
How to claim lottery winnings
Prize claims depend on the amount won:
- Up to R2,000: Claim at any licensed National Lottery retailer presenting your ticket.
- R2,001 to R49,999: Claim at a National Lottery regional office or by post (registered mail).
- R50,000 and above: Claim in person at a National Lottery regional office. You must present your original ticket, a valid South African identity document (green ID or smart card), and banking details for EFT payment.
Prizes not claimed within 365 days of the draw date are forfeited. Winnings are paid out via EFT directly into a South African bank account.
Draw results
View the latest results for each game:
For full archive results and live draw notifications, visit the official National Lottery website.
Responsible gambling and the lottery
The National Lottery is a form of gambling. Spend only what you can afford to lose. Set a weekly budget and stick to it. Never chase losses by buying additional tickets. If lottery play is causing financial or emotional difficulty, call the SA Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008 (free, 24/7) or visit the responsible gambling page.
Frequently asked questions
You must be 18 years or older to purchase a National Lottery ticket in South Africa. This applies to all games: Lotto, Lotto Plus 1, Lotto Plus 2, PowerBall, PowerBall Plus, and Daily Lotto. Retailers are required to verify age before selling tickets.
Choose 6 numbers from 1 to 52. Tickets cost R5 per board. Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday evening. You win the jackpot by matching all 6 main numbers. Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 cost an additional R2.50 each and use the same numbers you selected.
Tickets are available at any licensed National Lottery retailer, which includes major supermarkets, filling stations and convenience stores. You can also play online via the official Ithuba National Lottery website at www.nationallottery.co.za or through the official mobile app. Only buy through official Ithuba channels.
Prizes up to R49,999 can be claimed at any National Lottery retailer or regional office. Prizes of R50,000 and above must be claimed at a National Lottery regional office in person. Prizes above R50,000 require identity verification and banking details. There is no income tax on lottery winnings in South Africa.
No. National Lottery winnings are not subject to income tax or capital gains tax in South Africa. The full prize amount is paid to the winner. However, any interest earned on winnings after they are deposited may be subject to income tax under normal rules.
The PowerBall jackpot rolls over each draw if not won, growing until it is claimed. There is no fixed cap on the jackpot, but if the jackpot has not been won after a prescribed number of draws, it may be divided among the next lower prize tier. South Africa has had jackpots exceeding R200 million.