Exploring South African National Lotto: A Comprehensive Guide

Overview

The South African Lotto is the leading lottery game in South Africa. It is run by the South African National Lottery which was established in 2000 and is privately operated by the company Gidani. The first Lotto draw was held on 11 March 2000.

Lotto is a traditional lotto jackpot game that is drawn every Wednesday and Saturday evening and is broadcast live on TV. Seven numbers are drawn at random from the drawing machine which contains 49 balls numbered 1 through 49. The first six balls are called the 'main numbers' and the seventh ball is the 'bonus number'.

Any player who selects the six numbers that are drawn, wins the first division prize. The chance of winning the jackpot is 1 in 14 million. If the first division jackpot is not won, it is rolled over to the next draw. However, the rules provide that it can only rollover four times. Each Lotto board game costs R3.50 to play. There is also a Lotto Plus add-on to the game which began in 2003 and gives players a second chance to win the game.

Lottery Schedule

Drawings for this lotto are held on Wednesday, Saturday.

How to Play

To play, mark six numbers from the numbers 1 through 49 on one or more game boards. You can also choose to play in multiple draws by marking your selection on the playslip. You can also choose to ask for a Quick Pick and the terminal will select your numbers for you. Each Lotto board game costs R3.50 to play and you must play a minimum of at least one game. 

Participating Countries

The following countries participate in Lotto - South African National: South Africa.

Prize Structure

There are seven prize divisions which are pari mutuel:

1. All six drawn numbers
2. Five drawn numbers and the bonus ball
3. Five drawn numbers
4. Four drawn numbers and the bonus ball
5. Four drawn numbers
6. Three drawn numbers and the bonus ball
7. Three drawn numbers

Grand Prize

R101,143 South African Rand.

Jackpots

Lotto Plus is an extension of Lotto. Selected numbers for the Lotto draw are wagered for an additional corresponding Lotto Plus Draw. Thus Lotto Plus gives players a second chance to win in Lotto for just an additional R1.50. The jackpot in Lotto Plus does not roll over. If it is not won, it is divided equally amongst the divisions with winning players.

Notable Wins

The largest win on an individual ticket to date was R30 352 465 which was won on 16 November 2005.

The biggest jackpot to date was on 15 February 2003, when the jackpot rolled-over in four consecutive draws. The jackpot totalled more than R44 million and was shared by four winning players who each netted R11 175 032. 

So far more than 959 people have been made millionaires by the South African Lotto.

Distribution of Revenue

If the first division jackpot is not won, it is rolled over to the next draw. If on the fifth draw, the jackpot still has not been won, then the entire prize pool for the first division is added to the second division prize fund for that fifth draw.

45% of sales are distributed as prizes and 34% of revenue is contributed to good causes in South Africa.