Playing the South African Lotto is simple, exciting and full of possibility. All you need to do is pick six numbers between 1 and 52. Twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the official draw takes place where six winning numbers and one Bonus Ball are randomly selected.
If your chosen six match the six winning numbers, you hit the jackpot. But the good news is that you don’t need to get them all right to walk away a winner. Matching as few as two numbers plus the Bonus Ball can still earn you a prize.
For even more chances, many players add Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2. These are extra draws that use the same numbers you’ve already chosen, giving you another shot at a payout. When no one claims the jackpot, it rolls over to the next draw, creating even bigger prizes that often capture the nation’s attention.
The odds reflect the size of each prize. Matching all six numbers carries odds of roughly 1 in 20 million, while winning any prize at all is around 1 in 38. This balance of odds and payouts is what keeps the Lotto exciting, with regular winners across the country and jackpots that continue to make headlines.
| Division | Numbers Matched | Odds of Winning | Typical Payout* |
|---|
| 1 | 6 numbers | 1 in 20,358,520 | Jackpot (varies, often millions) |
| 2 | 5 numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 3,393,087 | Hundreds of thousands of Rands |
| 3 | 5 numbers | 1 in 75,402 | Tens of thousands of Rands |
| 4 | 4 numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 30,161 | Several thousand Rands |
| 5 | 4 numbers | 1 in 1,370 | Hundreds of Rands |
| 6 | 3 numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 1,028 | Smaller cash prizes |
| 7 | 3 numbers | 1 in 72 | Around R50–R100 |
| 8 | 2 numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 96 | Entry-level prize |
*Payouts vary depending on ticket sales and how many winners share each prize tier.
1. R110 million – January 2018
In a historic draw on 27 January 2018, the Lotto jackpot had rolled over 21 times until four ordinary ticket-holders each bagged R27.5 million. Two of those tickets were bought in the Western Cape, one in KwaZulu-Natal, and one via FNB’s online app. One winner, a 58-year-old from Cape Town, remained anonymous, only coming forward nearly a year later.
2. R103.7 million – October 2024
On 30 October 2024, after 24 consecutive rollovers, a single draw produced a jaw-dropping R103,684,796 win. The ticket had been bought using the Capitec app via a Quick Pick. A woman claimed the prize within a week and said she was looking forward to refreshing her wardrobe.
3. R100 million – August 2024
A woman from Pretoria hit the jackpot on 3 August 2024, winning R100 million from a Lotto ticket purchased at Pick n Pay in Hazeldean Square. She came forward slightly later, was intensely grateful, and chose to remain anonymous.
4. R79.9 million – May 2019
A Cape Town woman from Ottery bought a R30 Quick Pick ticket and ended up winning nearly R80 million. After only discovering the news at the National Lottery offices, she revealed her plans to buy a spacious home and set aside R2 million to help a long-time petrol station attendant.
5. R61.6 million – July 2019
A ticket-holder from Mitchells Plain in the Western Cape secured R61,633,381 on 27 July 2019. This was his second big win, having previously claimed R75,000. After his recent jackpot, he vowed to build a larger family home where each child could have their own bedroom.
