Accurate & Fast South Africa Lottery Results Today

The National Lottery was launched in South Africa in 2000 and remains one of the country’s most popular forms of legal gambling. Operated by Ithuba Holdings since 2015, the lottery includes multiple draw games such as Lotto, PowerBall, and Daily Lotto. Each offers varying odds, draw schedules, and prize structures. Millions of players participate in weekly and daily draws in hopes of securing jackpots that can exceed R200 million. This article explains how to check winning numbers, when draws take place, and which tools are available for real-time updates.

Today’s Winning Numbers: What You Need to Know

South African lottery draws occur every day of the week, with specific games scheduled on fixed days. Players can check the latest results shortly after each draw through several reliable sources.

Draw Schedule by Game:

Daily Lotto results are published every night, while Lotto and PowerBall numbers are updated bi-weekly. Lotto and Lotto Plus 1 and 2 are drawn on the same evening. PowerBall and PowerBall Plus also share the same draw time.

Real-Time Results: Best Ways to Stay Updated

There are several ways to access lottery results, depending on whether you're playing online or using a paper ticket. The fastest and most reliable methods are digital, but traditional options remain in use throughout the country.

Trusted Ways to Check Results:

• Official Website: Updates within minutes post-draw; includes historical data.

• Ithuba Mobile App: Available on iOS and Android; supports ticket scanning and result notifications.

• TV Broadcasts: Lotto on SABC 2; PowerBall on Mzansi Magic and NewzRoom Afrika.

• Retailers: Most licensed outlets allow you to scan tickets to check results.

• SMS or Email Alerts: Available for registered users who subscribe to updates.

• Social Media: Results posted shortly after draws on official Facebook and Twitter pages.

Understanding the Games: Which One Suits You Best?

South Africa’s National Lottery consists of several draw-based games, each offering different jackpot sizes, odds, draw frequencies, and entry costs. While Lotto and PowerBall offer multimillion-rand jackpots with bi-weekly draws, Daily Lotto runs every day with smaller but more frequent prize payouts.

The best game for a player depends largely on their strategy—whether it involves chasing high jackpots with long odds or opting for more frequent draws with better chances of lower-tier wins. Understanding how each game works is essential before selecting numbers or purchasing tickets.

Key aspects to consider include:

• Draw frequency: Daily vs. weekly draws

• Jackpot structure: Fixed minimums vs. sales-based prizes

• Odds of winning: Varies significantly between games

• Entry cost: Ranges from R3 to R7.50 per play depending on the game

The following sections provide a detailed analysis of each major game operated by Ithuba under the South African National Lottery.

South Africa’s Classic Lotto – Tradition and Big Prizes

Lotto was introduced in 2000 and remains the most established lottery game in South Africa. Draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 20:56 (CAT), broadcast live on SABC 2. Players select six numbers from a pool of 52. The odds of hitting the jackpot—matching all six numbers—are 1 in 20,358,520.

There are three versions of Lotto:

• Lotto – Standard game with a minimum jackpot of R2 million

• Lotto Plus 1 – Additional draw entered by paying an extra R2.50

• Lotto Plus 2 – Second additional draw for another R2.50

Both Lotto Plus games use the same numbers selected for the main Lotto ticket. Jackpots roll over if not won, and there are no caps on prize amounts.

Lotto Prize Odds and Structure (Main Draw Only):

Lotto offers high potential payouts but relatively low odds of hitting the jackpot compared to other games.

PowerBall & PowerBall Plus – Chasing the Giant Jackpots

Launched in 2009, PowerBall is now the highest-paying lottery game in South Africa. Its record jackpot of over R232 million, drawn in February 2019, is the largest ever won in the country. Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 21:00 (CAT), with results aired on Mzansi Magic and NewzRoom Afrika.

Players choose five numbers from 1 to 50 and one additional PowerBall number from 1 to 20. The jackpot is won by matching all six numbers.

PowerBall Odds and Payout Structure:

PowerBall Plus, introduced in 2015, offers a second chance to win with the same number selection, for an additional R2.50 per play. Odds remain the same, but prizes are typically lower than the main draw.

Daily Lotto – For the Everyday Dreamer

Daily Lotto, launched in 2019, is South Africa’s only daily draw game and offers more frequent chances to win. It differs from other games in that its jackpot is not fixed; it depends entirely on the volume of ticket sales. Draws take place every night at 21:00 (CAT), except on Christmas Day.

Players choose five numbers between 1 and 36. The top prize is won by matching all five, but if no player wins the jackpot, the prize rolls down to lower tiers—an uncommon feature among draw games.

Tickets cost R3 per board. Due to the smaller pool of numbers and daily draw cycle, the odds of winning a prize are significantly higher than Lotto or PowerBall, though the prize amounts are generally lower.

Your Numbers Matched—Now What?

Winning a lottery prize in South Africa triggers specific procedures, depending on the value of the win and how the ticket was purchased. Prizes must be claimed within a fixed time frame, and failure to do so results in forfeiture.

• Daily Lotto prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw.

• Lotto and PowerBall prizes are valid for up to 365 days.

For physical tickets purchased at retailers, lower-tier prizes can typically be collected at the same location. Higher-value prizes require direct engagement with Ithuba through regional offices.

Online players who have verified accounts will usually receive small to medium prizes credited directly. Larger prizes are subject to identity and banking verification procedures before being disbursed.

Winners are required to present valid identification and the original ticket (or account credentials, if played online). For foreign players using third-party lottery agents, payouts are processed through the service provider and may be subject to local tax laws outside South Africa.

Payouts Explained: From Small Wins to Major Jackpots

The size of a prize depends on both the game and the number of correct matches. Some games, such as Lotto and PowerBall, use a tiered system where only matching all drawn numbers yields the top prize, while others like Daily Lotto feature roll-down mechanisms where the jackpot is redistributed if not claimed.

Key payout characteristics:

• PowerBall: Fixed odds payouts for lower tiers; jackpot depends on ticket sales and rollovers.

• Lotto: Progressive jackpots with proportional prize pools; prizes increase with the number of matched balls.

• Daily Lotto: No fixed jackpot; all prize values depend on total ticket sales and number of winners per tier.

Prize distribution varies by game, but in all cases, unclaimed winnings are transferred to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, which supports charitable and development projects across South Africa.

No tax is currently levied on lottery winnings within South Africa. However, international players may be liable for tax in their home country.

Success Stories and Cautionary Tales

South Africa has recorded several notable lottery wins, primarily through PowerBall. The largest verified win stands at R232 million, claimed by a single ticket holder in February 2019. Other major jackpots include R153 million (PowerBall Plus, July 2020) and R145 million (PowerBall, August 2018). Most of these were won by individuals playing infrequently or using Quick Pick selections.

However, not all large jackpots were claimed. A PowerBall jackpot of R102 million, won in 2011 in the Free State, went unclaimed. This emphasizes the importance of checking tickets within the valid period and storing them securely.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What time do ticket sales close on draw days?

Ticket sales usually close 30 minutes before the draw. For example, sales for the 20:56 Lotto draw stop around 20:30 CAT.

Can I cancel a lottery ticket after purchase?

No. Once purchased, lottery tickets cannot be cancelled, refunded, or changed.

How are draw results verified?

Draws are conducted using certified mechanical draw machines and are audited by independent firms for compliance.

Is there a limit to how much I can win in one game?

There is no official cap on the jackpot for Lotto or PowerBall. Jackpots roll over until won.

Do all provinces have access to the same games?

Yes. All licensed games operated by Ithuba are nationally available across all provinces.