How to Claim Lottery Winnings

When you win a lottery prize, claiming the money is straightforward. However, the process does vary depending on how much you have won and how you played - in a store, online or via an app. Look through this guide to learn what you need to do if you're a winner.

Regardless of the prize amount, the deadline for claiming is 365 days from the date of the draw when you won. If you don't come forward within this year-long time period, you'll miss out on your money.

Claiming Online Lottery Prizes

One of the main advantages of playing online is how easy it makes it to claim prizes. There's no paper ticket to keep safe or check after a draw. Instead, there's a secure digital record of the numbers you played and they will be checked for you.

You'll be notified if you win a prize and the vast majority of prizes are paid straight into our account without you having to do anything. Here's how online prizes work if you have a National Lottery account or play through your banking app.

Prizes up to R249,999.99: If you win any amount that is lower than R250,000, your prize will be transferred straight into your online account. There's no need to stake a claim, so all you need to do is log in to your account to access the funds.

Prizes of R250,000 or more: You'll still be notified if you win so there’s no chance of missing out, but you must complete an official claim form so that your entry can be validated. You'll then need to visit one of the National Lottery's regional offices in person.

Claiming Prizes if You Played In-Store

It's still simple to claim lottery winnings if you have played in-store, but you need to make sure that you keep your paper ticket safe after you bought it as you'll need it to receive your prize. It's a good idea to sign it to make sure you are the only person who can make a claim. Go to the Lost and Damaged Tickets page to find out what to do if you can't find your entry or it is no longer intact.

As long as your entry is safely in your possession, the method for claiming it depends on how much you have won.

Prizes up to R2,000: You just need to take your winning ticket to a store within the claim period. All retailers have to pay out prizes up to R2,000 in cash, while they can also give out awards up to R5,000 at their own discretion. Find your nearest retailer now if you have a prize to claim.

Prizes between R2,001 and R49,999.99: For prizes of this value, you'll need to visit an authorised payment centre. You can ask any retailer for the address of your nearest payment centre.

Prizes of R50,000 or more: To receive a prize of this magnitude, you'll have to go to one of the regional offices. Complete a claim form and provide proof of identity.

Locations of Regional Offices

The table below shows the addresses of the National Lottery's regional offices, where you can claim prizes of R50,000 and above.

Publicity or Anonymity

If you win a major prize such as a jackpot, one of the first decisions you will have to make is whether to go public or stay anonymous. This is entirely your decision, and no details about your identity will be disclosed without your written consent. The vast majority of big South African winners decide to stay private, although many are happy for some information to be revealed – including their job, home town and plans for the future.

Lottery operator Sizekhaya provides support to winners whether they opt for publicity or anonymity. This includes emotional counselling as well as financial advice. This support system will remain in place for as long as winners wish for it to continue.