Until recently, to play lotto, you had to leave the house and go to a nearby lottery shop. However, this situation has changed dramatically, because lotto via internet is now available.
Lotto games are hugely popular among South African gamblers, as everyone hopes to win a massive prize that can change the course of their life. Lotto is nothing but a game of chance – and we should all remember about it when dreaming of big money. However, the probabilities of losing are as high as these of winnings, which is good news! Learn where you can play lotto online and how to do it right.
Short History Of Lotto South Africa
The first lottery game was Lotto introduced by the National Lottery in South Africa. The first draw took place on the 11th of March 2000 and until October 2001 it used to be played on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The used numbers were 6/49 and then they were changed into 6/52 in August 2017.
The very recent change took place on the 10th of March 2019 when lotto draws became Wednesday and Saturday norms – up to this day draws happen at 8:56 pm. They feature 8 prize divisions, including the jackpot draw. If regular Lotto is not your thing, you can play Daily Lotto which happens every day at 9:00 pm. This game type has 4 prize divisions and you need to select 5 numbers out of 36 available. Free Lotto gives you a chance to participate in daily and weekly draws and here you need to match 6 numbers from 1 to 75 in order to win. Don’t worry, our national lotto operator gives us plenty more options, from Lotto Plus 1 and 2 to Powerball and SportsTake 8.
How To Play Lotto Online
You should know that except for being able to buy lottery tickets at hundreds of retailers around the country, you can as well start playing lotto online. In order to buy a lotto ticket online, you need to register on the official website of the National Lottery.
You will then open an account to play lotto online South Africa. If you happen to win a drat at online lotto SA, you will be credited money to your National Lottery account and your prize can be withdrawn immediately. However, if the prize is particularly high, you’ll have to go through a validation process first n order to receive your winnings.
Alternatively, if you don’t have an account on the site, you can buy lotto online using an account at ABSA, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank, where the process of starting your online lotto adventure is quite similar. So, to ensure you one more time – you definitely can play lotto online ABSA or with the help of other organisations.
Lotto Online – Available Options For SA Players
As you have probably guessed by now, the National Lotto doesn’t have to be your one and only chance. Although it is one of the most secure options to choose, there are plenty of offshore and foreign operators that accept lotto online South Africa. What are your options?
UK National Lottery
The UK’s national lotto operator can be seen as the British equivalent of our SA lotto online provider. It’s operated by Camelot Group and is regulated by the UK National Lottery Commission. What’s positively surprising is that 25% of all ticket sales goes to charity causes. Draws take place, again, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
EuroMillions
One of the most popular options for playing lotto online in Europe, it’s available in a number of countries including the UK, Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal. EuroMillions draws take place on Tuesdays and Fridays. Prizes are not subject to taxes.
US Powerball
This American game is streamed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you want to buy lotto tickets online, you must know that they cost around $2-$3. The biggest jackpot ever won at this game was recorded in 2016 when the prize worth $1.586 bn was split between 3 lucky players! Now, if you ever wonder whether lotto online is worth your time – you know the answer.
Australian Oz Lotto
Oz Lotto belongs to the Australian Tatts Group and the game’s draws take place once a week on a Tuesday. Players need to pick 7 numbers out of 45. The minimum of 3 winnings and one supplementary number are necessary to win a prize. This option might not be exactly what lotto South Africa online game you would imagine but, surprisingly, you can choose this operator easily!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lotto online SA tickets cost?
The average price of a single Lotto ticket is R5. If you want to increase your chances of winning, this will cost you R2.50 for each bonus game. Remember that this rule applies to the official SA online lotto operator and prices differ at different sites. To play lotto online free you might have to choose one of the websites that do not operate on the real money basis and simply offers lotto as free entertainment.
Can I play lotto online?
Absolutely! Not only you have plenty of domestic and foreign options to choose from but you can also decide what currency you want to use. If you wish to pay with ZAR, stick to the National Lottery provider. If you’re happy to use different currencies, you can pick one of the recommended lottery sites and enjoy online lotto betting like there’s no tomorrow!
Is online lotto South Africa legal?
Yes. Our national lottery is regulated by the National Lottery Commission and is available for all adult SA players. It’s been operating since 2000, providing a great way to play lotto online South Africa.
How can I claim my winnings via bank?
Winnings of less than R50,000 will appear directly on your account within seven working days of your victory. Those of you who were lucky to win R50,000 or more, must claim the prize from the Ithuba regional offices and fill the Prize Claim Form. Ithuba lotto online play organisation will ask you to provide identification documents, ticket reference number, and your bank statement for the last month.
Do I have to pay tax on winning lottery in South Africa?
No. According to the SA law, winnings from lottery are considered capital and are no subject to the SA Income Tax law. However, if you decide to play lotto with any offshore operators, you might face different rules. Always check the lottery tax law in the country of your lotto provider.
