How to Play Lotto and PowerBall, Online or at a Retailer

To play Lotto or PowerBall in South Africa you buy a ticket from the National Lottery operator, either at an authorised retailer or through the operator's own online and banking channels, pick your numbers or take a quick pick, and check the results after the draw. Since 1 June 2026 that operator is Sizekhaya, not Ithuba, so anything you read about "Ithuba online" now refers to the previous licence. This guide explains each step and where the official information sits.

Who runs the draws now

Sizekhaya Holdings took over as the National Lottery and Sports Pools operator on 1 June 2026, on an eight-year licence issued under the Lotteries Act and overseen by the National Lotteries Commission. Its site, sizekhaya.co.za, describes itself as the home of the National Lottery. The licence award is being challenged in court by unsuccessful bidders, but draws have continued under Sizekhaya.

The handover brought changes that are still bedding in. Reports mention new game names, such as PowerBall XTRA in place of PowerBall Plus and Lotto 5 Max in place of Lotto Plus 2, as well as a higher PowerBall ticket price. Neither the new names nor the current price could be confirmed from an official page, so check sizekhaya.co.za before you buy.

Ways to play lotto online and in person

1. At a retailer. Fill in a playslip or ask for a quick pick at an authorised lottery terminal, usually in supermarkets and convenience stores. Keep the printed ticket; it is your proof of entry.
2. Through the operator's online channels. Playing lotto online officially means buying through the operator's own website, app or the banking channels it has authorised. The available options under Sizekhaya are listed on its site.
3. Not through a bookmaker. Some betting sites offer "lucky numbers" bets on draw outcomes. These are fixed-odds bets, not lottery tickets, and the Lotteries Act restricts betting on any lottery outcome.

Whatever channel you use, the National Lottery Regulations prohibit anyone under 18 from buying, selling or obtaining tickets.

The games and when they are drawn

Secondary sources list PowerBall and its add-on game on Tuesday and Friday at 21:00, Lotto with its two add-on games on Wednesday and Saturday at around 21:00, and Daily Lotto every evening at 21:00. Sizekhaya's first live televised draws on 2 June 2026 were broadcast on e.tv and SABC. Daily Lotto Plus has had no draws since May 2026. Treat these times as a guide and confirm them on the operator's site, as the schedule may change under the new operator.

For the latest numbers, see PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results and Daily Lotto results.

Using a PowerBall or Daily Lotto ticket checker

A results checker simply compares the numbers on your ticket with the winning numbers for that draw. You can do it three ways:

• compare your ticket line by line with the published results for the correct draw date;
• use a ticket-checking option on the operator's site or app, where one is offered;
• ask the retailer to scan the ticket at the terminal.

Always match the draw date and the game. A PowerBall ticket is not entered in the add-on draw unless you selected it when buying, and the same applies to the Lotto add-ons. The prize tiers for each game are explained on our payouts page.

Claiming a prize

Sign the back of a winning paper ticket and keep it somewhere safe, because the ticket itself is your claim. Where you collect a prize depends on its size, and the thresholds, claim offices and deadlines are set by the operator. Sizekhaya's claim rules are the only reliable guide here, so read them on sizekhaya.co.za or call the operator before you travel with a ticket.

Lottery winnings for casual players are generally treated as not taxable, but rules depend on your circumstances; check with SARS or a tax practitioner if the amount is large. Play for fun with money you can spend. You must be 18 or older, and if ticket buying has become a habit you want to break, our responsible gambling page has the free 0800 006 008 helpline.