How much does an SA Lotto ticket cost?

A single board costs R5. Add-ons are R2.50 each: Lotto Plus 1 (second draw) and Lotto 5 Max (third draw).

What days does SA Lotto draw?

SA Lotto draws every Wednesday and Saturday at 21:00 SAST.

What are the odds of winning SA Lotto?

Division 1 odds are 1 in 20,358,520. Division 7 (match 3) has odds of 1 in 72 and pays a fixed R50.

How do I claim an SA Lotto prize?

Prizes up to R50,000 can be claimed at any licensed retailer. Prizes over R50,000 must be claimed at a Sizekhaya regional office.

Game Guides

How to Play SA Lotto: Complete Guide for Beginners

By LottoNow Editorial TeamUpdated 1 September 2026Fact-checked 1 September 20267 min read

SA Lotto is South Africa's flagship lottery game, run by Sizekhaya under the National Lottery brand. Draws happen every Wednesday and Saturday at 21:00 SAST, and tickets cost R5 per board (R10 with both the R2.50 Lotto Plus 1 and R2.50 Lotto 5 Max add-ons).

How to pick your numbers

Choose 6 numbers from 1 to 52. You can pick your own numbers or ask for a Quick Pick (computer-generated random selection). Each board gives you one set of 6 numbers. You can play up to 10 boards per coupon.

The Bonus ball

After the 6 main numbers are drawn, a 7th Bonus ball is drawn from the remaining 46 numbers. The Bonus ball affects Division 2 and Division 6 prizes — matching 5 numbers plus the Bonus ball pays more than matching 5 numbers alone.

Draw days and times

SA Lotto draws at 21:00 SAST on Wednesday and Saturday. Results are published on LottoNow shortly after. The live draw is broadcast on SABC2.

Prize divisions and odds

Division 1: Match 6 — 1 in 20,358,520 (Jackpot)
Division 2: Match 5 + Bonus — 1 in 3,393,087
Division 3: Match 5 — 1 in 75,402
Division 4: Match 4 + Bonus — 1 in 30,161
Division 5: Match 4 — 1 in 1,371
Division 6: Match 3 + Bonus — 1 in 1,029
Division 7: Match 3 — 1 in 72 (fixed R50)
Division 8: Match 2 + Bonus — 1 in 96 (free ticket)

Lotto 5 Max add-on

For an extra R2.50, Lotto 5 Max enters the same numbers into a third draw with its own separate pool and cascading jackpot. Lotto Plus 1 (an R2.50 add-on) plays a second draw with your board. Both use the same 6-from-52 format. Lotto Plus 2 was replaced by Lotto 5 Max in June 2026.

Tips for new players

Set a budget before you buy — decide how much you can afford to lose
Play regularly with a consistent stake rather than buying many tickets at once
Check results on LottoNow after every draw
Sign your ticket immediately after purchase
Never spend money you can't afford to lose