How the South African Lotto Has Changed Since 2017

BillyLouisjay 2:27 AM



How the South African Lotto Evolved Since 2017

The South African National Lottery, or simply Lotto, has undergone major shifts since June 2017—from changing number matrices and growing jackpot pools, to new daily games and a looming operator switch in 2026. Here’s a deep dive into how it’s evolved, what’s real, and what remains transparent.

1. Bigger Numbers, Slimmer Odds

In July 2017, the Lotto game expanded from 49 to 52 numbers, raising the random draw pool dramatically. This change made winning the jackpot even harder—odds shifted from about 1 in 13.9 million to 1 in 20.36 million(Lottery Results). While rollovers now build to bigger jackpots, the chance of winning today is significantly lower(Quantify Your Future).

2. Lotto Plus 2 Arrives

Also in July 2017, Lotto Plus 2 was introduced. Now, for an extra R2.50, players could join three draws—Lotto, Lotto Plus 1, and Plus 2—for three chances at the jackpot with the same numbers(Lottery Results). This new rule created more winners in lower tiers, while boosting jackpots through added rollovers.

3. The Rise of Daily Lotto

In March 2019, Daily Lotto debuted—a nightly game with a fixed jackpot and a rollover-down system if no one hits all five numbers(Sa Lotto, Wikipedia). For just R3 per board, players now had a guaranteed chance every night, making this popular for everyday play and small-stake excitement.

4. From Uthingo to Ithuba to Future Nationalisation

Operators changed:

  • Uthingo ran the lottery from its 2000 launch until 2007(FinTalk, Wikipedia).

  • Gidani consortium took over until 2015.

  • Since June 2020, Ithuba Holdings has been in charge, adding digital draws and modernizations(FinTalk).

In May 2025, Sizekhaya Holdings, led by Moses Tembe and Sandile Zungu and backed by Genlot SA, won the next licensing round. The new operator will start in June 2026, with plans to transfer lottery operations fully to the state by 2034(Wikipedia).

5. Controversies & Calls for Transparency

The 2017 rule changes and operator transitions sparked skepticism. Reddit users raised concerns that the transition from televised draws to digital random number generation feels less transparent—especially when big payouts are rare and no winner stories are shared publicly(Reddit).

Investigative reports, especially from GroundUp, exposed alleged misuse of state grant funds and shady connections between lottery board members and politicians. Though legal cases were launched, critics remain worried the new Sizekhaya operator sets the stage for future political favouritism or state mismanagement(Wikipedia).

6. Odds, Payouts & Prizes Today

  • Odds of matching all six numbers: 1 in 20,358,520(Wikipedia).

  • Average payouts for 5+ bonus on Lotto Plus 1: around R259,878. Lower tiers pay fixed amounts (e.g., R15 or R25)(Lottery Results).

  • No rollover limits on PowerBall since 2018—leading to record jackpots over R232 million(South Africa National Lottery).

Read also:

Why More South Africans Are Turning to Soup Kitchens Despite Receiving Grants

7. How Win Transparency Changed

Previously, Lotto draws were broadcast live on TV (SABC). Since switching to electronic draws, many long-time players feel winning looks less visible. Today draws appear as pre-recorded animations; winners aren’t regularly featured in the media—which fuels suspicion and reduces public excitement(Reddit).

8. Looking Ahead: State-Run Lottery in 2034?

When Sizekhaya’s eight-year licence ends in 2034, the state could take over lottery operations under a legal provision included in a 2013 amendment. Critics argue this raises corruption risks, given how deeply past parastatals were mismanaged by appointed boards(GroundUp News).

Poll / Comment Section

What’s the biggest change to SA Lotto since 2017?

  • Number pool increased to 52

  • Lotto Plus 2 & Daily Lotto added

  • Draws moved off live TV

  • New operator & state transition

What’s your experience? Did you visit a TV broadcast? Know someone who actually won? Comment below—and follow us for more real‑time local insights.

Final Thoughts

Since 2017, the South African Lotto has become more complex, less transparent, and more digital. It offers more ways to win—but with more distractions: bigger jackpots, more games, and quieter payouts. As the prospect of a state-run lottery approaches, the stakes are not just financial—they’re civic. We need transparency that matches investment, because Lotto isn’t just a ticket—it’s public trust.

Sources

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