What Is The Lottery?

The lottery is a worldwide phenomenon, and almost every country you can think of has its own version. In South Africa we have a national lottery whose rules differ, depending on which game you play. However, no matter which game you want to play, you must be at least 18-years-old and a South African resident according to South African law.

In this post, we’ll explore the rules governing the classic Lotto game of the South African lottery. These rules are the same for Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2, the only difference being that these offer a second and third chance to win, respectively.

The game begins when the player purchases a lottery ticket from an approved retailer, handheld partner or participating bank.

Choose Your Lucky Lottery Numbers

To play, you must first choose six numbers between 1 and 52. You will mark your selected numbers on the ticket itself, usually by putting a cross through your choice.

It’s a common alternative to rather let the computer select the numbers for you at random. If you struggle to make decisions, this might be the easier route for you. On the other hand, you might have a selection of lucky numbers that you just know will win you the millions you seek!

It is important to make sure that all the other information on the ticket is correctly filled out. This includes your name, address and the type of game or being played.

The choice of numbers available to you can vary greatly from one week to the next, so while you may sometimes be able to play the same numbers multiple weeks in a row, you should take care to read through all the information available to you, before making a decision.

Keep Your Lottery Ticket Safe

Now your part is done! Once you’ve filled out your ticket with your details and chosen numbers, you’ll hand it back to the retailer or put it through a terminal device yourself. You’ll receive a printout containing your numbers. It is of paramount importance that you hold onto this printout so that you can compare it to the winning numbers on the day of the draw.

You’d be surprised at how much money goes unclaimed every year. So, keep your ticket safe and make sure you’re not a part of that statistic!

Win!

If you have three or more matching numbers, then you’ve won a prize. Matching three, four or five numbers will earn you small-to-medium winnings, whereas six matches mean it’s time to celebrate – you’ve won big!
Multiple people can and have matched six numbers. In this case, the winnings are shared between them.

Now that you know a little bit more about South African’s National Lottery, get out there, play and claim that jackpot!