How are South African Lotto numbers drawn?

The National Lottery uses a random number generator (RNG) certified by an independent auditor. Draws are conducted under supervision and broadcast live on SABC 2.

How does PowerBall work?

Players pick 5 numbers from 1-50 plus 1 PowerBall from 1-16. Match all 5 plus the PowerBall to win the jackpot. There are 9 prize divisions based on how many numbers you match. The PowerBall range changed from 1-20 to 1-16 on 1 June 2026.

What is the difference between Lotto and Lotto Plus?

Lotto Plus 1 is an optional add-on for R2.50 that uses the same numbers as your main Lotto entry in a separate draw with its own prize pool. Lotto Plus 2 was discontinued on 1 June 2026 and replaced by Lotto 5 Max.

What replaced Lotto Plus 2 and PowerBall Plus?

On 1 June 2026 the new operator Sizekhaya replaced Lotto Plus 2 with Lotto 5 Max and PowerBall Plus with PowerBall XTRA. Both new games use the same draw formats with their own prize pools.

How does Daily Lotto work?

Daily Lotto draws happen every day at 9pm. Pick 5 numbers from 1-36. There is no jackpot rollover — the prize fund must be won each draw.

What time are lottery draws in South Africa?

SA Lotto: Wednesday and Saturday at 9pm. PowerBall: Tuesday and Friday at 9pm. Daily Lotto: Every day at 9pm. UK 49s (Lunchtime): 12:49pm. UK 49s (Teatime): 5:49pm.

How South African Lotto Works

By LottoNow Editorial TeamUpdated 1 September 2026Fact-checked 1 September 20268 min read

The South African National Lottery

The National Lottery has been entertaining South Africans since 2000. Today, Sizekhaya operates all lottery games under a licence from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), having taken over from Ithuba Holdings on 1 June 2026. Games are available at thousands of retail outlets nationwide and through digital platforms. The 2026 handover changed several formats (Lotto range, PowerBall range) and replaced some add-on games — see what changed in the 2026 lottery handover.

SA Lotto

The flagship game. Players choose 6 numbers from 1 to 52 (the range was 1 to 58 before June 2026, and the jackpot odds improved from about 1 in 40.5 million to 1 in 20.4 million). Draws happen every Wednesday and Saturday at 9pm, broadcast live on SABC 2.

Match all 6 to win the jackpot, which is cascading — guaranteed to be won at least once a month. There are 8 prize divisions; matching 2 numbers plus the Bonus Ball wins a small cash prize.

Entry cost: R5 per board
Draw days: Wednesday & Saturday
Draw time: 9pm (SABC 2)
Jackpot: Cascading, guaranteed monthly winner

Lotto Plus 1 & Lotto 5 Max

When you buy a Lotto ticket, you can add Lotto Plus 1 (R2.50) and Lotto 5 Max (R2.50). Your numbers are entered into separate draws with their own prize funds. Lotto 5 Max replaced Lotto Plus 2 on 1 June 2026 and uses the same 6-from-52 format.

PowerBall

South Africa's biggest jackpot game. Pick 5 numbers from 1–50 and 1 PowerBall from 1–16 (the pool was 1–20 before June 2026, which has shortened the jackpot odds). Jackpots start at R50 million and are cascading. Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday at 9pm.

Entry cost: R10 per board
Draw days: Tuesday & Friday
Draw time: 9pm (SABC 2)
Jackpot seed: R50 million

The PowerBall jackpot has grown as high as R232 million. PowerBall XTRA (R5 extra) is a separate second draw with its own prize pool.

PowerBall XTRA

For R5 extra, PowerBall XTRA enters your numbers into a second draw immediately after the main PowerBall. It draws its own PowerBall from 1–16 and has its own cascading jackpot. PowerBall XTRA replaced the old PowerBall Plus add-on on 1 June 2026.

Daily Lotto

Drawing every day at 9pm. Pick 5 numbers from 1–36. There is no rollover — the entire prize fund must be won each draw, giving you a fresh chance to win every single day. Its old add-on, Daily Lotto Plus, was discontinued on 1 June 2026 and was not replaced.

Entry cost: R3 per board
Draw days: Every day
Draw time: 9pm
Key feature: Must be won each draw

UK 49s (Lunchtime & Teatime)

Not an official South African lottery — UK 49s is a UK-based game played through South African bookmakers. Pick up to 6 numbers from 1–49. Two draws daily:

Lunchtime: 12:49pm daily
Teatime: 5:49pm daily (4pm in winter)

The odds and prize amounts depend on the bookmaker, as UK 49s uses a fixed-odds betting model rather than a parimutuel prize pool.

How to Buy Tickets

In-store: Visit any National Lottery retailer. Pay with cash or card.
Online: Use the official National Lottery website and app, or banking apps from FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Absa, or Capitec. You must be 18+ with a South African ID.

How Results Work

All results are published immediately after each draw on the official National Lottery website and app (run by the operator, Sizekhaya, since June 2026). This site mirrors those results for quick reference. Check results at SA Lotto results, PowerBall results, or Daily Lotto results.