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South Africa Lotto is drawn every Wednesday and Saturday, with jackpots worth millions of rand. Choose six numbers from 1 to 52 and check the latest jackpot below.
South Africa Lotto is one of the country’s most popular lottery games, with jackpot draws every Wednesday and Saturday. Players choose six numbers from 1 to 52, and each standard entry costs R5. The jackpot rolls over when nobody matches all six winning numbers.
This page explains the current South Africa Lotto rules, draw times, ticket prices, winning odds, Bonus Ball, Lotto Plus games and how to check official results. It also covers the important rule changes introduced in June 2026.
South Africa Lotto Jackpot Today
Check the latest Lotto jackpot and upcoming draw information.
Lotto uses six numbers from 1 to 52. Jackpot estimates can change before each draw.
Official National Lottery →18+ · Play responsibly · Independent lottery information.
South Africa Lotto at a Glance
Lotto is part of the South African National Lottery. The game began in March 2000 and remains one of the country’s best-known lottery products. The current lottery licence is operated by Sizekhaya Holdings under the supervision of the National Lotteries Commission.
| Lottery | South Africa Lotto |
| Country | South Africa |
| Lottery operator | Sizekhaya Holdings |
| Regulator | National Lotteries Commission |
| Draw days | Wednesday and Saturday |
| Draw time | Approximately 21:00 South African Standard Time (SAST) |
| Numbers | Choose 6 numbers from 1 to 52 |
| Bonus Ball | One additional ball drawn from the remaining numbers |
| Standard price | R5 per board |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 20,358,520 |
| Winning categories | 8 prize divisions |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
Important 2026 update: Lotto changed its number range from 1–58 to 1–52 on 1 June 2026. Older websites and articles may still show outdated rules or odds.
How to Play South Africa Lotto
Lotto is a six-number lottery game. You choose your own numbers or allow the system to select them randomly using Quick Pick.
- Choose six numbers. Select six different numbers from 1 to 52 for each game board.
- Or use Quick Pick. The lottery system generates a random combination for you.
- Select your draw. Enter the next Wednesday or Saturday draw, or choose a Multi-Draw entry if available.
- Choose optional extra draws. You can add Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto 5 Max, subject to the current entry rules.
- Pay for your ticket. A standard Lotto board costs R5, excluding any separate fees charged by the purchase channel.
- Check your numbers. Compare your ticket with the winning numbers and Bonus Ball after the draw.
Where Can You Buy Lotto Tickets?
Eligible players in South Africa can purchase Lotto tickets through authorised National Lottery retailers, the official lottery website or app, and supported banking channels.
Available payment methods, purchase limits and eligibility requirements depend on the service used. Always check that you are using an authorised sales channel.
Remember: A Quick Pick has the same chance of winning as numbers you choose yourself. Previous draws do not make any particular combination more likely in the next drawing.
South Africa Lotto Draw Days and Times
South Africa Lotto has two main draws every week, on Wednesday and Saturday. Draws normally take place around 21:00 South African Standard Time (SAST).
| Day | Lotto draw | Time zone |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | No draw | — |
| Tuesday | No draw | — |
| Wednesday | Yes | Around 21:00 SAST |
| Thursday | No draw | — |
| Friday | No draw | — |
| Saturday | Yes | Around 21:00 SAST |
| Sunday | No draw | — |
South Africa uses SAST (UTC+2) throughout the year and does not observe daylight saving time.
Lottery sales generally close before the draw begins. Bank channels may have slightly earlier cut-off times; for example, some banking services stop ticket sales around 20:25 SAST.
Verify the precise deadline through your chosen authorised provider before attempting to enter a draw.
South Africa Lotto Prizes and Winning Odds
Under the current 6-from-52 format, there are 20,358,520 possible six-number combinations. Each standard board has a 1 in 20,358,520 chance of winning the jackpot.
Lotto has eight prize divisions. The first six numbers drawn are the main winning numbers, followed by a separate Bonus Ball.
| Division | Numbers matched | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 1 in 20,358,520 | Rolling jackpot |
| 2 | 5 + Bonus Ball | 1 in 3,393,087 | Variable |
| 3 | 5 | 1 in 75,402 | Variable |
| 4 | 4 + Bonus Ball | 1 in 30,161 | R4,000 |
| 5 | 4 | 1 in 1,371 | R200 |
| 6 | 3 + Bonus Ball | 1 in 1,028 | R200 |
| 7 | 2 + Bonus Ball | 1 in 96 | R30 |
| 8 | 3 | 1 in 72 | R20 |
Odds are rounded and apply to one standard 6-from-52 combination. The top three prize divisions depend on the prize fund and number of winners. Listed fixed prizes follow the published 2026 game information and may change if the operator amends the rules.
Jackpot rule: When no entry matches all six winning numbers, the first-prize fund rolls over to a future draw in accordance with the lottery rules. The advertised jackpot is an estimate, not a guarantee of the net amount one individual will receive.
What Is the Lotto Bonus Ball?
The Bonus Ball is an additional ball drawn after the six main winning numbers.
Because the current game uses numbers from 1 to 52, the Bonus Ball is selected from the remaining 46 numbers.
You do not choose a separate Bonus Ball when entering the game. It is compared with the six numbers already on your ticket.
The Bonus Ball matters in several prize divisions, including matching five main numbers plus the Bonus Ball.
Do You Have to Match the Numbers in Order?
No. Your selected six numbers can match the winning main numbers in any order.
What matters is how many main numbers you match and whether the Bonus Ball is relevant to your prize division.
South Africa Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto 5 Max
South Africa Lotto also offers optional add-on games. These give eligible players additional draws using their selected numbers.
| Game | Additional cost | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Lotto | R5.00 | Main Lotto draw |
| Lotto Plus 1 | R2.50 extra | Additional draw using your numbers |
| Lotto 5 Max | R2.50 extra | Further optional draw, subject to entry rules |
| All three | R10.00 | Main draw and both add-on draws |
The add-on games have separate prize pools and winning results. Entering them increases your total ticket cost.
Under the current structure, Lotto Plus 1 is required before entering Lotto 5 Max. Check the latest official rules before purchasing.
South Africa Lotto Results and Winning Numbers
After each draw, the lottery publishes the six main winning numbers, Bonus Ball, number of winners and prize amounts for each division.
You can check the results on the official National Lottery website or through a dedicated Lotto results archive.
Check the Latest Lotto Results
See the most recent South Africa Lotto winning numbers, Bonus Ball and prize information.
View Lotto Winning Numbers →External results-information website. For official verification and prize claims, use the National Lottery operator.
How to Check Your Ticket
- Check the draw date printed on your ticket or digital receipt.
- Compare your six chosen numbers with the six winning main numbers.
- Check the Bonus Ball if it is relevant to your matches.
- Find the correct prize division and check its payout.
- Verify any winning ticket using an authorised National Lottery channel before claiming.
Keep the original ticket safe. Do not share barcodes, ticket serial numbers or other identifying information publicly.
What Changed in South Africa Lotto in 2026?
The South African National Lottery entered a new licence period on 1 June 2026.
The Lotto game also introduced important changes, including a new number range and updates to the additional draw structure.
| Feature | Older format | Current 2026 format |
|---|---|---|
| Main numbers | 6 from 58 | 6 from 52 |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 40,475,358 | 1 in 20,358,520 |
| Draw days | Wednesday and Saturday | Wednesday and Saturday |
| Ticket price | R5 per board | R5 per board |
| Additional games | Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 | Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto 5 Max |
Why this matters: If you see an article describing Lotto jackpot odds as 1 in 40,475,358, it is likely referring to the older 6-from-58 game. This page uses the current 6-from-52 format.
South Africa Lotto vs. PowerBall
Lotto and PowerBall are separate jackpot games in South Africa. They have different number selection rules and draw days.
| Feature | South Africa Lotto | South Africa PowerBall |
|---|---|---|
| Draw days | Wednesday and Saturday | Tuesday and Friday |
| Number format | 6 from 52 | 5 from 50 + PowerBall 1 from 16 |
| Jackpot | Rolling jackpot | Rolling jackpot |
| Game type | Six-number draw | Five main numbers plus separate PowerBall |
Lotto requires matching six main numbers to win its top prize, while PowerBall requires both its main-number combination and the separate PowerBall.
Read more through the official South African National Lottery .
How to Claim a South Africa Lotto Prize
If you win a prize, the payment procedure depends on the amount and the way you purchased your ticket.
- Retail tickets: Keep your original ticket. Small winnings can generally be validated through authorised retailers, subject to payout limits.
- Online or banking entries: Follow the payment and identity verification process of the authorised provider.
- Large prizes: Contact the official National Lottery operator for the applicable claim procedure.
- Claim deadlines: Check the current official rules for the time limit applicable to your ticket.
Never pay an unexpected advance fee to an unknown person claiming that you have won a lottery prize. Verify all prize notifications through official channels.
Can You Play South Africa Lotto from Abroad?
Official National Lottery ticket sales are subject to the operator’s registration, age and location requirements.
Some third-party websites may advertise access to South African lottery results through lottery messenger services or betting.
These are not necessarily the same as purchasing an official South African National Lottery ticket.
Before using any service, check its licensing, jurisdiction restrictions, fees, ticket ownership, and prize-payment conditions.
Official South African Lottery Information
For the latest rules, ticket eligibility, responsible play information and official channels, visit the National Lottery website.
This link opens the official lottery operator’s website.
Responsible Lotto Participation
Lottery games are based on chance. No system of lucky numbers, previous results or statistical patterns can guarantee a win.
Buying additional combinations increases the total amount you spend and the number of entries, but each individual combination retains the same probability.
Set a spending limit, avoid chasing previous losses and never use money needed for essential expenses.
South Africa Lotto FAQ
When Is South Africa Lotto Drawn?
Lotto is drawn every Wednesday and Saturday evening at approximately 21:00 South African Standard Time. Check the official operator for schedule changes and ticket cut-offs.
How Much Does a South Africa Lotto Ticket Cost?
A standard Lotto board costs R5. Lotto Plus 1 costs an additional R2.50, and Lotto 5 Max costs another R2.50 when the required add-on entries are selected.
How Many Numbers Do You Pick in SA Lotto?
Under the rules introduced in June 2026, players choose six different numbers from 1 to 52. A Bonus Ball is drawn separately from the remaining numbers.
What Are the Odds of Winning the Lotto Jackpot?
The chance of matching all six main numbers is 1 in 20,358,520 for one standard combination.
What Is the Lotto Bonus Ball?
The Bonus Ball is an additional number drawn after the six main winning numbers. It is used to determine several of the smaller prize divisions.
Does Matching Three Numbers Win a Prize?
Yes. Under the published 2026 prize structure, matching three main numbers qualifies for the eighth prize division, which pays a fixed R20.
What Happens If Nobody Wins the Jackpot?
When no ticket matches all six winning main numbers, the jackpot prize fund rolls over according to the game’s rules.
Is Lotto the Same as PowerBall in South Africa?
No. Lotto is a six-number game drawn on Wednesday and Saturday. PowerBall uses a separate PowerBall number and is drawn on Tuesday and Friday.
Where Can I Check South Africa Lotto Results?
Check the official National Lottery website or consult the Lotto results archive .
Can Someone Under 18 Buy Lotto Tickets?
No. South African National Lottery participation is restricted to players aged 18 or older.
Sources and Official Information
The rules and game information on this page are based on published material from the South African National Lottery and participating banking providers.
- South African National Lottery – official website
- Nedbank – updated Lotto rules, draw days and ticket information
- South Africa Lotto results archive
Last reviewed: 10 November 2026. Information reflects the South African Lotto format introduced in June 2026. Jackpot estimates are provided through the WordPress banner shortcode and may change between draws. This website is an independent information resource and is not the official South African National Lottery operator. 18+ · Play responsibly.
