How does the SA Lotto compare to Africa’s biggest jackpots?
The dawn of 2026 brought more than fireworks and celebrations for one fortunate South African who scooped the R65 million Lotto jackpot.
Someone in South Africa started 2026 as a multi-millionaire after scooping a R65 million Lotto jackpot on New Year’s Eve.
The winning ticket, purchased through the Capitec app, matched numbers 4, 5, 10, 16, 22, 45 and bonus ball 25.
The mystery winner hasn’t come forward yet. Whether they know about their windfall remains unclear, but Ithuba has confirmed the payout.
SA dominates the African lottery scene
South Africa’s National Lottery is the biggest on the continent by a country mile.
Since launching in 2000, it’s created over 800 millionaires and consistently ranks among the world’s top five lottery operations.
The country’s record jackpot stands at R232 million (around £10.5 million), won by an anonymous Cape Town man in February 2019.
He kept working despite the fortune, saying the money would secure his children’s education.
What about the rest of Africa?
Nigeria runs a close second with Premier Lotto, popularly known as Baba Ijebu. Founded in 2001, it’s become a household name across West Africa, offering everything from traditional draws to sports betting.
Ghana’s National Lottery Authority has been around since 1962, making it one of Africa’s oldest. The Friday Bonanza and National Weekly Lotto remain hugely popular, with proceeds funding education and healthcare projects.
Kenya’s lottery scene has gone fully digital, with mobile platforms dominating. The Kenya Charity Sweepstakes raises funds to fight poverty, illiteracy and disease.
Going digital across the continent
Mobile lottery platforms are exploding across Africa. In Kenya and Ghana, over 70% of lottery transactions now happen via mobile money.
You can play SA Lotto through banking apps from Capitec, FNB, Absa, Nedbank and Standard Bank.
The African lottery market was valued at $5.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $11.32 billion by 2032. That’s serious growth driven by smartphone adoption and better mobile infrastructure.
How it works in SA
Lotto costs R5 per board. Pick six numbers from 1 to 52. Add Lotto Plus 1 and Plus 2 for R2.50 each. Draws happen on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 21:00.
PowerBall offers bigger jackpots, but lower odds. Pick five numbers from 1 to 50 plus one PowerBall from 1 to 20. Tickets cost R5, with draws on Tuesdays and Fridays.
All winnings are tax free. Winners of R50 000 or more get free financial and trauma counselling from Ithuba.
Fancy a flutter? Email us your lottery stories at info@sapeople.com