Why Is The Jackpot So Big?
The nine-figure jackpot is an incredible sum, and is the result of 21 draws without a winner. The latest rollover came on Wednesday, when five ticket holders scooped R48,794 for matching five numbers and the Bonus Ball, whilst 138 players won R3,075 for matching five numbers, but no one hit the R100 million jackpot.
Lotto is hugely popular in South Africa, but its players have never seen anything like this before. The jackpot was last won on Saturday 11th November 2017 with the winning numbers 28, 3, 30, 21, 46 and 51, drawn alongside the Bonus Ball 42, and the winner took home R6,251,034.20.
In recent years there have been some big wins, including one player from Eastern Cape province who claimed R50,795,986.30 in November of last year. There was also a winner of R34,494,651 from Kwazaulu Natal in April 2017, but they were not even half as valuable as the upcoming draw for R110 million, which converts to roughly £65 million or $93 million.
Khensani Mabuza, Head of Marketing at South African National Lottery operator ITHUBA, said: “Earlier this week the Lotto jackpot was at its highest since 2015 (R100 million). Our 24th January draw was not won – and now the Lotto jackpot is standing at R110 million guaranteed. This is the highest jackpot in the history of the National Lottery games since its existence in South Africa.”
She went on to say “Change your tomorrow today!”
Can You Still Enter?
Yes, tickets are still available to buy up to half an hour before the draw, which takes place just before 21:00 (SAST).
You have to be over the age of 18 to play Lotto, which can be entered in person at nationwide National Lottery retailers in South Africa or at banking partners First National Bank, Standard Bank and Nedbank.
Non-South African residents can enter online via lottery concierge services by selecting six numbers from 1-52 for each line. You can either pick them manually or allow the computer to generate a random Quick Pick selection, and your tickets will then be saved into your online account once you complete the purchase.
The odds of landing the jackpot are around 1 in 20 million, but even if the jackpot isn’t claimed, there are still seven additional prize tiers in which to win.
What Happens If You Win?
If this huge jackpot is pocketed on Saturday, the winner - or winners – will be able to stay anonymous if they wish. The National Lottery will provide them with financial advice, estate planning, legal advice and trauma and emotional counselling. These services are available to any winner of more than R50,000 in the country, and are designed to support them through the initial stages of thei new life.
Players have 365 days after the date of the draw to claim their prize. If the Lotto tickets aren’t validated within that one-year timeframe, 50% of the prize will be transferred to good causes in South Africa. If the winner has entered through an online lottery service, lower level winnings are claimed by an agent on behalf of the ticket purchaser and transferred to their account. If you win the jackpot, you will be contacted by the service and guided through the claims process.
Good luck!