How to Play Lotto Plus 2 (SA)
In July 2017, another exciting supplementary game to Lotto saw the light when the National Lottery implemented Lotto Plus 2. Being a simple game with great odds and costing only ZAR2.50, it’s worth putting on your list of lottery games to play in the future.
Below you’ll find all the rules, prize categories and how it relates to the other add-on game, Lotto Plus 1. You’ll understand exactly how to play Lotto Plus 2, so you can play with confidence.
In a Hurry?
For a quick summary on Lotto Plus 2, review the table below.
| 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 2 Basics and Rules
Playing Lotto Plus 2 is similar to how you play Lotto Plus 1 as it’s the second add-on game in the Lotto games series. So, when you play Lotto Plus 2 you’re given a third chance at striking it lucky with your Lotto numbers.
Here are some rules to help you understand what will be expected of you in this game.
Playing Lotto Plus 2
Similar to other South African lotteries like Powerball, clear rules help create a safe playing environment for lottery players:
| Feature | Guideline | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age to play | Players must be 18 years or older | Whether in store or playing online, vendors require proof of age before selling a ticket to you. |
| Cost | Standard price: ZAR2.50 | You pay the same as Lotto Plus 1. Service fees will increase the cost when you use services like online lottery sites, so budget accordingly. |
| Game availability | Available from all official National Lottery partners | When using online lottery sites, first check if supplementary games like Powerball Plus and Lotto Plus 1 are supported. Not all vendors have these in their game portfolios. |
You can use tools like a Lotto number predictor when you plan your lottery numbers for the week. Remember, you’ll use your Lotto numbers for the Lotto Plus 2 draw as well – you don’t choose new numbers for this draw.
All relevant game features are explained below.
Understanding the Lotto Plus 2 Structure
Lotto and the supplementary games are all easy to understand, so even newbies can give it a go. The basic features are:
- 1-52 number range: All the numbers you pick for Lotto and use in Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 are in the range of 1 to 52.
- 6 numbers to pick: Players pick six numbers in total.
- Draw selects 7 numbers: During the draw, six numbers are first selected and then a seventh, called the Bonus Ball, is also picked.
- 6 Main numbers for the jackpot: To win the main prize your Lotto numbers must be the same as the first six numbers drawn.
- Bonus Ball for luck: Your Lotto numbers may include the Bonus Ball, which is used to increase players’ chances of winning a prize. The Bonus Ball number is considered for some of the lower prize tiers, never for the jackpot prize.
Drawings and Prizes
The National Lottery uses an RNG (random number generator) computer system for all draws and there are three draws on Lotto night. You can watch the Lotto results and all other National Lottery outcomes on eTV or YouTube.
On Lotto days, the first set of numbers chosen is for Lotto, then there’s a separate draw for Lotto Plus 1 results and the last one for Lotto Plus 2. You can win in one or all of them, all depending on how your Lotto numbers compare to the three draws’ results.
The Lotto Plus 2 ticket sales will determine how big most prizes are, since the rules stipulate that part of the funds from sales is used to create a prize pool. This table explains how the prize fund is divided and what percentage is allocated to each prize category.
| 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 |
Once the Lotto Plus 2 results are out you can claim your prize in person, or have it paid out automatically, but the claims process depends on which platform you used. We describe more about each platform later in the article.
How to Buy a Lotto Plus 2 Lottery Ticket
Thanks to technology you have many options of how to play Lotto Plus 2. Do note however that costs and timelines vary between service providers. To help you buy your Lotto Plus 2 ticket in time and budget for upcoming plays, use our table below which showcases all your options.
| How You Play Lotto Plus 2 | Cost | Cut-off Times |
|---|---|---|
| National Lottery accredited retail outlet | ZAR2.50 In addition to:
| 8:30 pm on draw days |
| Online banking apps and websites | ZAR2.50 In addition to:
Convenience fees may also apply | Banks differ, but expect guidelines such as:
|
| Online lottery sites | Vendors differ, but usually rates are higher than standard costs because these sites charge service fees. Example: Lottoland: ZAR2.50/line on top of Lotto cost (ZAR5.00) and Lotto Plus 1 cost (ZAR2.50) | Confirm policies of vendor |
| USSD | ZAR2.50 In addition to:
| 30 minutes before a draw |
Thanks to multiple platforms offering this game, players can customise their lottery playing. Pick a platform based on your personal preferences:
- Official National Lottery site or app
- South African banking apps and websites
- USSD short codes using your bank account
- Registered brick-and-mortar retailers
- Online lottery sites
How to Play Lotto Plus 2 Online
There are some online lottery sites that offer the standard games like Powerball and Lotto, but also game extensions like Powerball Plus and Lotto Plus 2. These steps clarify what will happen when playing Lotto Plus 2 via online lottery sites.
1. Register on the platform – Confirm age and personal details to create a player account, or log in with an existing account.
Source: Lottoland
2. Choose Lotto – Lottery players must first play the standard game before Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 will be available options to pick
3. Select 6 numbers – The six Lotto numbers you pick will be used for Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 as well. Use a Lotto Plus 1 number predictor tool or Lotto Plus 2 hot and cold numbers when selecting Lotto numbers. Such a strategy could improve your chances of winning in the supplementary games.
Source: Lottoland
4. Play Lotto Plus 1 – Confirm you want to activate Lotto Plus 1 by using the tick boxes or toggle switches provided.
5. Confirm Lotto Plus 2 – Make sure to select Lotto Plus 2 as an optional extra to the game.
6. Manage subscriptions and other features – Use site-specific special offers and subscriptions if you wish to.
Source: Lottoland
7. Pay for ticket – Add the Lotto ticket to your cart, play other lotteries if you want to and then pay for all tickets.
8. Check results – Lottery sites usually do automated payments of winnings, but check the results to make sure you get the appropriate payouts.
How to Play Lotto Plus 2 In-Store
Retail outlets affiliated with the National Lottery will all have Lotto Plus 2 as a game option. Here’s how it works in store.
1. Get a Lotto bet slip – Stores stock yellow and red betslips you can fill in to indicate the numbers you want to play. One slip contains eight boards to play.
2. Pick Lotto numbers – Use a blue or black pen, or a pencil to tick the numbers you want to play. You can play one or more boards.
3. Tick Lotto Plus 1 box – Use the Lotto Plus 1 box at the top of the page to confirm you want the extension game activated.
4. Tick Lotto Plus 2 box – Tick the second box to also play your numbers in the Lotto Plus 2 draw.
5. Confirm draws – With a betslip you can enter the numbers in up to 10 upcoming draws.
6. Give betslip to the attendant – The retailer enters the data to capture it electronically.
7. Pay and receive a ticket – You can only pay cash at brick-and-mortar sellers. Your receipt acts as proof of your payment and contains all the ticket information.
8. Fill in the back with personal details – The receipt has space for your name, contact number and address, so you can prove ownership.
9. Check results and claim a prize – After the Lotto Plus 2 results are released, claim winnings in person.
How to Play Lotto Plus 2 via Banking Apps & More
South Africans have many locally managed online platforms giving them access to the Lotto game AND the supplementary games. Most are extremely user-friendly and you can do it all from the comfort of your home.
Source: Nedbank App
- Register or log into your player account.
- Pick Lotto on the lottery menu.
- Pick your six Lotto numbers.
- Select Lotto 1.
- Select Lotto 2.
- Confirm the number of draws you register for.
- Pay for ticket.
- Install the app (Android and iOS compatible).
- Select Lotto from the lottery list.
- Set your six Lotto numbers.
- Activate Lotto Plus 1 option.
- Activate Lotto Plus 2 option.
- Complete ticket details, including number of draws to enter.
- Pay for tickets.
Players must have online banking activated.
- Log into account.
- Use ‘Buy’ menu to view the lottery list.
- Select Lotto from the list of lotteries.
- Set your six Lotto numbers with Quick Pick or using your own numbers.
- Activate Lotto Plus 1 option.
- Activate Lotto Plus 2 option.
- Set multiple draws if you wish to.
- Pay for tickets.
After dialing your bank’s shortcode, follow the menu prompts to play Lotto and activate the Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 options. Shortcodes available to SA bank clients, that include lottery options:
- ABSA: *120*2272#
- Capitec: *120*3279#
- Nedbank: *120*001#
- FNB: *130*321#
- Standard Bank: *120*2345#
Source: Nedbank App
How to Know if You Won the Lotto Plus 2 Lottery?
Some platforms will inform you of your winnings, but to ensure you get all your prize money you should compare results with your ticket’s numbers. Here are some ways to track Lotto Plus 2 draw outcomes.
| How you play Lotto Plus 2 | How to see if you’re a Lotto Plus 2 winner |
|---|---|
| Official retail outlets | Watch the draw online or visit Lotto 2 results pages. |
| Banking site or app | Most banks have results as a menu option, or you can use online results pages. Banks may also message you if you win. |
| National lottery site or app | Use the published results or wait for a message from the operator. |
| Online lottery sites | Winners receive messages and vendors publish new and historical results. |
What Happens If You Win the Lotto Plus 2 Lottery?
Many online platforms that offer Lotto Plus 2 will pay winnings automatically, but manual claims processes may also be required. Here’s what you need to know:
- In store purchases: All prizes must be claimed in person. Visit a store, or go to the SA Post Office or a regional lottery office if your prize exceeds ZAR2,000.
- Banking apps and USSD: Banks usually pay out prize money automatically, but for big prizes above R50,000 you need to visit a regional office.
- Lottery sites: Vendors pay out winnings automatically but in the case of jackpot wins you may need to claim in person. If this requires travelling, the lottery site may cover the costs.
Final Thoughts
Just ZAR2.50 helps South African lottery players enjoy more chances of winning, increasing your odds of becoming a National Lottery jackpot winner. Although the Lotto Plus 2 jackpot will never be as big as a Mega Millions or US Powerball main prize, jackpots are usually still in the millions!
And remember, with the same Lotto numbers registered for multiple draws, luck should be in your favour so you can walk away with a prize soon.
Now, use the guidelines above on how to play Lotto Plus 2 and don’t let a chance go by to be one of the many winners this week.
FAQs
You can buy physical tickets by visiting retailers in South Africa, such as grocery stores and fuel stations. Or, enter electronically via your banking app or the National Lottery website and app. Online lottery sites can also buy tickets on your behalf.
Yes, lottery sites allow you to buy tickets from almost anywhere in the world. You can also talk to your South African bank and find out if their app allows you to purchase lottery tickets while travelling overseas.
The National Lottery’s standard rule for all its lotteries is that players should be at least 18 years old. Lottery sites usually have a similar rule.
As with most South African lotteries, including Daily Lotto, you must have tickets in hand at least half an hour before a Lotto Plus 2 draw. Online lottery sites and banks selling tickets may have different timelines, which will be stipulated in their policies.
The cost to enter the Lotto Plus 2 draw, using your Lotto numbers, is ZAR2.50. Remember that you must first play Lotto and Lotto Plus 1 before you’re given the option of playing Lotto Plus 2 for that specific draw, and together they cost ZAR7.50. Therefore, the total cost when you play Lotto Plus 2 is ZAR10.00.
In Lotto Plus 2 you’ll use the same numbers you played in Lotto. When purchasing your Lotto ticket you have freedom of choice to use your own set of lucky numbers or use tools like a Lotto number generator to decide which numbers to play. It can also help to use a Lotto Plus 2 predictions tool, which may increase your chances of winning in the add on game.
The numbers you pick to play Lotto, and which will then be entered into the Lotto Plus 2 draw all come from the number range 1 – 52. You’ll pick 6 numbers in total, although a Lotto Plus 2 number generator will show seven numbers. This is because number generators also show the Bonus Ball that’s picked during the draw. But this number is only used to help players win in lower prize tiers.
The draw for Lotto Plus 2 happens as part of the Lotto and Lotto Plus 1 draw session. All the results are made known on the same night, around 9 pm. These draws take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The South African tax laws favour lottery players, because most players don’t pay tax on their Lotto Plus 2 winnings. You’re only expected to pay tax on prize money if lottery wins form the biggest part of your general income.
Lotto Plus 2 jackpots can keep on growing thanks to rollover rules and there not being any cap to this main prize. Therefore, although the jackpot is usually not as big as SA Powerball or international games like EuroMillions, it does have the potential to grow to an impressive size.
From the day of the draw, all Lotto Plus 2 players have 1 year to claim their winnings.
The jackpot for DailyLotto is ZAR 300,000 on