South Africa Lotto FAQs

Want to get involved in South Africa Lotto and be in with the chance of winning big? It’s easy to play, no matter where you are in the world — head to the Tickets page now to learn more. In the meantime, you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked questions listed below.

Question: When are South Africa Lotto draws held?

Answer: South Africa Lotto is drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8.56pm local time.

Question: When is the cut-off time for South Africa Lotto ticket sales?

Answer: You must buy your South Africa Lotto tickets by 8:30pm local time if you are purchasing them from an authorised retailer within South Africa. If you are playing from outside of the country through an online concierge service, then you will have to snap up your entries up to three hours before the draw. The best advice is to check with the service provider before buying tickets.

Question: How do I win a South Africa Lotto prize?

Answer: The minimum requirement for winning a South Africa Lotto prize is to match at least two main numbers and the Bonus Ball, which entitles the player to a guaranteed R20. To win the jackpot, players must match all six main numbers. Visit the Prizes page to see a comprehensive prize breakdown

Question: Can I take part in South Africa Lotto if I live outside of the country?

Answer: Players from around the world can take part in South Africa Lotto thanks to online lottery concierge services, which dispatch an agent based in the country to buy your tickets and issue you with a scanned copy. If you strike it lucky and win big, the service will notify you right away so that you can start the process of claiming your prize. Smaller prizes will be paid into your online account. Visit the Tickets page to learn more.

Question: When do South Africa Lotto prizes expire?

Answer: Lotto prizes must be claimed within 365 days of the date of the respective draw.

Question: Is there a minimum age to play South Africa Lotto?

Answer: You must be at least 18 years old to play South Africa Lotto.

Question: Will I pay tax on my South Africa Lotto winnings?

Answer: You are advised to consult a tax professional about any possible liabilities arising from winning a large South Africa Lotto prize.

Question: What odds are there on winning a South Africa Lotto prize?

Answer: You have a 1 in 38 chance of winning a prize on South Africa Lotto. The odds of winning the jackpot, meanwhile, are 1 in 20,358,520. You can see a full list of all of the odds at the South Africa Lotto Prizes page.

Question: What is the minimum South Africa Lotto jackpot?

Answer: The starting jackpot for South Africa Lotto is approximately R1 million, but the exact amount can vary slightly. It is always guaranteed that 73% of the total prize fund for each draw will contribute towards the amount.

Question: Is there a limit to the number of times South Africa Lotto jackpot can roll over?

Answer: No; South Africa Lotto does not have a jackpot cap. This means that the top prize can grow and grow until someone finally matches all six numbers and claims the mammoth prize.

Question: What was the value of the largest ever South Africa Lotto jackpot?

Answer: South Africa Lotto’s biggest jackpot to date is R110 million. This prize was won on Saturday, 27th January 2018, when four ticket holders both matched all six main numbers to share the prize between them.

Question: When will the next South Africa Lotto draw take place?

Answer: The next exciting South Africa Lotto draw will be held on Saturday 27th April 2024 .

Question: How much is the current South Africa Lotto jackpot?

Answer: The next South Africa Lotto jackpot will be R10,000,000.

Question: How much does a South Africa Lotto ticket cost?

Answer: A single ticket costs R5.