Lotto FAQs
Read through the Lotto FAQs on this page to get all the important details about playing the game, including how and when you can buy tickets, how to play Lotto Plus, and what you need to do to win. Visit the Lotto page to find in-depth guides on many of the subjects covered here.
How much does it cost to play Lotto?
Each line of numbers costs R5 and the Lotto Plus draws each cost R2.50 per line. That makes the cost of entering all three draws R10.
How old do I have to be to buy tickets?
You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase lottery tickets in South Africa.
What is the cutoff time for Lotto tickets?
Tickets must be bought by 20:30 on draw days. Sales reopen for the next draw day shortly after that night's winning numbers have been confirmed.
What time is Lotto drawn?
Draws take place at 20:57 every Wednesday and Saturday.
How many numbers do I need to match to win?
You must match at least two numbers plus the Bonus Ball to win a prize. You must match all six numbers to win the jackpot.
Do I win anything for matching two numbers?
No, there is no prize for matching two numbers in Lotto or Lotto Plus.
How much do I win with three numbers?
The prize for matching three numbers in Lotto is set at R50. In the Lotto Plus draws it's R25.
What are the odds of winning Lotto?
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 20,358,520, and the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 38. The odds of winning in either of the Plus draws are the same.
Do I need to match the numbers in the same order they’re drawn?
You can match the winning numbers in any order, so the numbers you pick do not have to be in the same order as the winning numbers.
Is there a minimum jackpot?
There is no guaranteed minimum jackpot in standard draws. The National Lottery may occasionally hold special draws, in which a guaranteed jackpot amount is on offer. These special draws and the guaranteed jackpot will be publicised in advance.
What happens if no one wins the jackpot?
If no one matches all six numbers in a particular draw, the Lotto jackpot rolls over and increases in value for the following draw. There is no limit on how many times this can happen, and in the past it has rolled over to reach more than R100 million.
How much was the biggest ever Lotto jackpot worth?
The record for the biggest ever Lotto jackpot was the R110 million prize that was split between four winners in January 2018. One winner did not claim until a year after the draw. Go to the Lotto Winners page to find out more about the biggest prizes ever given away.
How long do I have to claim prizes?
You have 365 days from the date of the winning draw to claim a prize.
Do I have to pay tax on Lotto prizes?
If you are a casual player – meaning that you do not gamble or play the lottery as a profession – then there is no tax on any lottery winnings you receive.