How to Play Lotto Plus 1 (SA)
Since November 2003, Lotto Plus 1 has helped Lotto players to add more excitement when playing the lottery in the form of Lotto. After all, you get a second chance of winning with the same set of lucky numbers and it doesn’t even cost a lot of money to make this happen.
This, as well as the fact that you have multiple chances each week to win is why many Lotto Plus 1 tickets are sold each week. And because of the game setup, the high rate of sales helps to increase the prize fund and result in great prizes.
If you’re not sure how to get in on all the Lotto Plus 1 action, use our handy guide below. We cover prizes, rules, timelines and more.
Contents
In a Hurry?
The basic features of the Lotto Plus 1 game are listed here.
| Numbers to win the jackpot | 6 |
|---|---|
| Jackpot type | Rollover |
| Number range | 1 – 52 |
| Prize categories | 8 |
| Draw days | Wednesdays, Saturdays |
| Draw time (SA Time) | ~9 pm (8:57 pm) |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Claim period | 1 year |
| Jackpot odds | 1:20,358,520 |
Lotto Plus 1 Basics and Rules
For clarity, Lotto Plus 1 is an add-on game to Lotto, so it’s not a game on its own. You must play Lotto in order to activate the Lotto Plus 1 option. You play the supplementary games in a similar way to how you play Lotto, and we summarise the main guidelines below.
Playing Lotto Plus 1
Here are basic guidelines to help you plan for your first Lotto Plus 1 game:
| Feature | Guideline | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal age to play | 18 or older | Whether in store or playing online, vendors require proof of age before selling a ticket to you. |
| Cost | Standard price: ZAR2.50 | The cost is similar to the Powerball Plus game, but note that online vendors and your bank may charge differently because of service fees. |
| Where to play | In store or online, but availability isn’t always guaranteed | Add on games aren’t always part of the portfolio of online lottery sites. If it’s a priority for you to play this exciting feature, before registering on a new platform, make sure your lottery vendor of choice offers Lotto Plus 1. |
Rules and Structure
Playing Lotto Plus 1 means you’re entering your Lotto numbers in a second game, called Lotto Plus 1. Simply activate the feature and you’re registered to possibly win in another draw with your original set of Lotto numbers!
Understanding the Lotto Plus 1 Structure
This quick summary explains how the Lotto Plus 1 game will work and how it compares to Lotto:
- Same numbers, different game: Your set of 6 Lotto numbers are chosen from the range 1 – 52, and you can select your ticket numbers using QuickPick, a Lotto number generator or personal lucky numbers. Then, by activating the Lotto Plus 1 extension, they’re entered into a second draw which will produce a different sequence of winning numbers. This gives you a second chance of winning with one set of numbers.
- Bonus ball: The draw includes a seventh number, the bonus number. Having this number in your set could make you a winner in lower prize categories, but it’s not taken into account for the jackpot.
- A second draw: You get an additional chance to win with your lucky numbers, thanks to it being used in a second lottery draw.
- Smaller prizes but lower cost: The cost of a Lotto Plus 1 ticket is lower than that of Lotto, so it’s a cheap way of enhancing your chances of winning. Because income from ticket sales determine the prize pool, a lower ticket price means the prizes are smaller compared to Lotto.
- National Lottery RNG: As with other National Lottery games like Daily Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 results are created with a random number generator, which is a computer system. The process is audited, but numbers are produced electronically with no interference from humans.
- Plus 2 game: There’s another add-on game, Lotto Plus 2, offering you a third chance to win with your set of Lotto numbers. You must play Lotto Plus 1 to be able to enter your numbers for Lotto Plus 2.
Drawings and Prizes
The Lotto Plus 1 draws take place along with the Lotto draws. The National Lottery uses random number generating software to produce the Lotto Plus 1 numbers and the results are all released during the same session. You can watch the outcome either by tuning in on eTV or using the operator’s YouTube channel where videos of past draws are kept.
The prize structure is similar to Lotto, with some notable differences:
- 8 prize tiers
- A prize pool created by a percentage of ticket sales for that draw
- Some fixed prizes and others determined by the amount in the prize pool
- The pool fund percentages allocated to each prize division are slightly different to that of Lotto. These small differences count in the favour of lower tier winners, because Tier 2 to Tier 6 are assigned larger percentages compared to Lotto’s tiers, but don’t worry – the jackpot is still impressive.
Here’s a visual representation of the categories.
| Category | General Numbers | Bonus Ball | % of Prize Pool/Fixed Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | 6 | 0 | 53% |
| Division 2 | 5 | 1 | 8.1% |
| Division 3 | 5 | 0 | 5.4% |
| Division 4 | 4 | 1 | 6.7% |
| Division 5 | 4 | 0 | 13.4% |
| Division 6 | 3 | 1 | 13.4% |
| Division 7 | 3 | 0 | ZAR25 |
| Division 8 | 2 | 1 | ZAR15 |
Depending on how you played, you’ll either get a notification if you’ve won, or you’ll need to use Lotto Plus 1 results online to confirm. The required steps to claim a prize also depend on how you played:
- Buying tickets in store always requires an in-person claim at a store, SA Post Office or National Lottery office.
- Using online platforms, whether local or international, could mean automatic payouts. However, vendors affiliated with the National Lottery, including your South African bank, may only pay out prizes of ZAR49,999 and smaller. Larger prizes will require a visit to a lottery office.
How to Buy a Lotto Plus 1 Lottery Ticket
If you’re ready to make this add-on feature part of your future lottery plays, remember to buy your ticket in time, as cut off times are strictly kept to. Here’s an overview to help you plan timelines and budgets.
| Method of Playing Lotto Plus 1 | Cost | Cut-off Time |
|---|---|---|
| Operator approved retailer, official website or app | ZAR2.50 on top of Lotto cost of ZAR5.00 | 8:30 pm on each draw day |
| Online banking app or website | ZAR2.50 on top of Lotto cost of ZAR5.00 Some of them charge convenience fees | Common rules, although each bank is unique:
|
| Online lottery sites | Each vendor is unique and service fees can result in higher pricing than standard fees. Example: Lottoland: ZAR2.50/line on top of Lotto cost of ZAR5.00 | Review policies to confirm |
| USSD | ZAR2.50 on top of Lotto cost of ZAR5.00 | 30 minutes before Lotto Plus 1 draws |
Each of the methods of playing Lotto Plus 1 has its own benefits, so use the information above and our detailed guidelines below to pick your ideal way to play the game from now on. Which of these will you use?
- Official National Lottery site
- Official National Lottery app
- Your bank app or online banking website
- Registered retailers
- Online lottery sites
- USSD short codes
How to Play Lotto Plus 1 Online
Only certain online lottery sites host add-on games of South African lotteries. So, apart from understanding how to play Powerball Plus or Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2, you should first check if your chosen platform offers it and then follow these steps.
1. Open an account – Create your player account and add funds to your wallet.
2. Play the Lotto game – You must first play the standard Lotto game before add on games become an option. Pick 6 numbers, using your own numbers, or Quick Picks.
3. Confirm you want to play Lotto Plus 1 extension – Use selection features to choose the add-on features. It may be tick boxes or a toggle button.
4. Pick Lotto Plus 2 – Another optional extra is to activate Lotto Plus 2. You must first pick the Lotto Plus 1 game to get into the draw for Lotto Plus 2.
Source: Lottoland
5. Pick draw dates – Sites usually allow you to buy tickets for one or both of the upcoming two draws.
6. Confirm subscriptions – Use the same tickets for multiple draws in the future.
7. Use additional features – Online lottery sites may have even more special options unique to the platform, such as welcome bonuses or doubling of payouts.
Source: Lottoland
8. Confirm and pay – If you’re happy with your ticket details, add it to your profile cart and pay once you’ve selected all the lottery tickets you want to buy.
9. Watch and win – Wait for the draw results to come out and receive prize money in your player account.
How to Play Lotto Plus 1 In-Store
Any official retailer can help you add the Lotto Plus 1 option to your Lotto ticket. Here’s how it works.
1. Fill in Lotto bet slip – Use the yellow and red Lotto ticket in store and fill in your numbers for Lotto or tick the Quick Pick box. Play the number of boards you want to.
2. Fill in Lotto Plus 1 box – A tick box at the top of the page will assign Lotto Plus 1 to all the boards on the page.
3. Select Lotto Plus 2 – Tick the second box at the ‘Play Here’ arrow if you also want to play Lotto Plus 2. You must tick the Lotto Plus 1 box for the Lotto Plus 2 game to be played.
4. Pick number of draws – Your selection can be eligible for the upcoming draw, or up to 10 upcoming draws. Select the number of draws by ticking a box.
5. Submit slip – Give the completed betslip to the retailer to capture on the system. Players can also communicate with the retailer without using a slip if they wish to.
6. Pay cash – National Lottery only accepts payment in cash.
7. Take ticket – A printed receipt serves as proof of your ticket and contains all the selected information.
8. Fill in the back – Add your personal details on the back to prove ownership.
9. Wait for results – When the Lotto Plus 1 results are made public you can claim your prize at retailers and lottery offices.
How to Play Lotto Plus 1 via Banking Apps & More
Most South African banks and other local services like banks’ USSD shortcodes do offer Lotto Plus 1 as a lottery option.
Source: FNB app
Simply look for it in the menu options and remember to activate it before finalising your ticket purchase. Here’s a summary of methods to try.
- Register an account or log in to your existing one
- Navigate to Lotto
- Pick Lotto numbers
- Select Lotto Plus 1 as an option
- Complete ticket purchase
- Receive winnings automatically after results are out, or claim in person if you win more than ZAR600
- Download and install the app (Android and iOS available).
- Pick Lotto on the lottery menu.
- Select Lotto numbers.
- Enter Lotto Plus 1 by selecting the option.
- Complete your ticket purchase.
- Small winnings are paid out automatically. Check results and messages to know where and when to claim larger prizes in person.
- Register for online banking.
- Log in.
- Pick Lotto from the ‘Buy’ menu.
- Set Lotto numbers.
- Enter Lotto Plus 1 by activating the option.
- Complete purchase.
- Use the app features to monitor results.
Use one of the following bank shortcodes and follow the menu prompts to confirm you want to use the service and then play Lotto Plus 1:
- ABSA: *120*2272#
- Capitec: *120*3279#
- Nedbank: *120*001#
- FNB: *130*321#
- Standard Bank: *120*2345#
How to Know if You Won the Lotto Plus 1 Lottery?
Make sure you don’t accidentally miss out on a Lotto Plus 1 prize payout! Only certain methods of playing this supplementary game will give you automatic payouts of prize money. You may need to claim your cash in person. This table summarises the different options, so you can plan accordingly.
| How you play Lotto Plus 1 | How to see if you’re a Lotto Plus 1 winner |
|---|---|
| Registered retail outlets in SA | Use live draws and results pages to compare numbers. |
| Banking app or website | Receive message from the financial institution. Also use the app to review results. |
| Operator website or app | Automated notifications are sent and you can review results via these platforms. |
| Online lottery sites | Vendors notify winners and usually display current and past draw results on the platform. |
What Happens If You Win the Lotto Plus 1 Lottery?
No matter which of the methods above you use, always follow up to make sure your winnings end up in your account. Many platforms have automated payout procedures, but they may also require claims processes, especially for larger wins. Some guidelines to consider:
- For tickets purchased in store, claim them in person at stores, or the Post Office or regional offices if you win more than ZAR2,000.
- Payments under ZAR50,000 will be done automatically if you use the official operator app or website. Larger prizes require a visit to a regional office.
- Lottery sites usually automate all payments, but may require you to claim jackpots in person.
- For prizes won after using your bank’s online services, expect payouts of small prizes straight to your account. For larger prizes you’ll visit a regional office and use information provided by the bank to make your claim.
Final Thoughts
Remember, your chances of being a lottery winner increases the more you play. So, you could see your monthly prize money increase once you add Lotto Plus 1 to your monthly lottery playing activities.
And at a minor cost of only ZAR 2.50, you’ve found a very affordable way to enhance your lottery experiences. Plus, with the convenience of apps and lottery sites, it can all happen from the comfort of your own home.
FAQs
Players can buy physical tickets themselves at registered retailers. Just remember to tick the ‘Lotto Plus 1’ box. You can also buy online with lottery sites and certain apps, as long as the vendor offers the supplementary game on top of the standard Lotto tickets.
Yes, your SA bank may allow you to play via online banking even when overseas, but confirm their policies first. Certain international lottery sites also offer the extension game to Lotto.
The standard age requirement of most South African lotteries apply to Lotto Plus 1, so you must be 18 in order to play.
Ticket sales close when they close for Lotto games and different times apply to different ticket providers. Usually you can’t buy 30 minutes before a draw, but check the policies of the platform you’re using to play the lottery.
When buying from National Lottery affiliated outlets, the total cost to own a Lotto Plus 1 ticket is ZAR7.50. This includes ZAR5.00 for Lotto and an additional ZAR2.50 for Lotto Plus 1. You must play Lotto to be able to play Lotto Plus 1.
When using online lottery sites the costs may differ and banks may charge convenience fees on top of ticket prices.
The game setup requires you to use your Lotto numbers for the Lotto Plus 1 extension game. Therefore, you can’t pick new numbers, but when picking your Lotto numbers it’s up to you how you want to pick them. From using a strategy based on Lotto’s hot and cold numbers to Quick Pick or having your own set of lucky numbers, the choice is yours.
Players use their set of Lotto numbers to play Lotto Plus 1 and this is always a set of 6 numbers. The number range is 1 – 52. During the draw the system picks a seventh number, but this bonus number is only used to help winners increase their chances of getting lower tier prizes.
The Lotto, Lotto Plus and Lotto Plus 2 draws all take place during the same sessions, twice a week. Draw days are Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Thanks to lenient tax laws in South Africa, you usually don’t have to pay tax on your Lotto Plus 1 prize money. Tax only applies to lottery players who have lottery winnings as a main source of income.
Unlike some popular lotteries like the EuroMillions game, the jackpots in Lotto Plus 1 roll over and grow over time, with no jackpot cap stated in the rules of the game. There’s also no limit to the number of times the jackpot can roll over.
The National Lottery offers a period of one year for all lottery winners to come forward. Your ticket will expire 365 days after the draw.
The jackpot for DailyLotto is ZAR 300,000 on