The South African National Lottery has officially entered a new era. On 1 June 2026, Sizekhaya Holdings took over the operation of the National Lottery, ending Ithuba’s eleven-year run as the country’s lottery operator. For millions of South Africans who regularly play Lotto, PowerBall, Daily Lotto, and sports pools, this is one of the biggest changes the lottery has seen in years.
The transition brings a brand-new website, updated lottery games, new prize structures, the return of live televised draws, fresh instant-win games, and a completely modernised player experience. If you’ve logged onto the National Lottery website recently and noticed things look different, you’re not imagining it. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Sizekhaya National Lottery.
What Is Sizekhaya?
Sizekhaya Holdings is the new operator of the South African National Lottery and officially took over on 1 June 2026. Unlike a simple website refresh, Sizekhaya has launched an entirely new lottery platform. The previous Ithuba infrastructure has been retired and replaced with a modern system developed alongside international lottery technology provider Genlot. For players, that means new games, updated number ranges, improved online functionality, and several features that many lottery fans have been asking for over the years.
A New National Lottery Website
One of the first things players will notice is the redesigned National Lottery website. The new platform feels significantly more modern and mobile-friendly than previous versions. Jackpot amounts, countdown timers, upcoming draws, and game information are all easier to find, whether you’re browsing on a desktop computer or smartphone. Many South Africans now play Lotto almost exclusively online, so the improved mobile experience is a welcome change.
Lotto Games Have Changed
While the familiar Lotto and PowerBall games remain, several important changes have been introduced.
Lotto
Lotto continues to draw every Wednesday and Saturday at 21:00. Players now choose six numbers from 1 to 52, compared to the previous range of 1 to 58. A standard Lotto entry costs R5. Sizekhaya has also introduced a new Multiplay option called MP1, which allows players to add a seventh number to their selection. This creates additional winning combinations and increases the number of ways your ticket can potentially win.
Lotto Plus 1
Lotto Plus 1 remains available and costs R2.50 per board. Like Lotto, the number range has changed to 1 to 52.
Lotto 5 Max
Lotto Plus 2 has been replaced by Lotto 5 Max. The game costs R2.50 per board and offers its own separate prize pool.
Daily Lotto
Daily Lotto continues to run every day at 21:00. Players choose five numbers from 1 to 36 and pay R3 per board. A new MP1 Multiplay option allows players to add a sixth number to generate more winning combinations. One notable change is that Daily Lotto Plus has been discontinued.
PowerBall
PowerBall still draws every Tuesday and Friday at 21:00. Players select five numbers from 1 to 50 and one PowerBall number from 1 to 16. The PowerBall range has been reduced from 20 numbers to 16. A standard entry costs R10.
PowerBall Xtra
PowerBall Plus has been renamed PowerBall Xtra. The game costs R5 per board and operates alongside the main PowerBall draw.
Live Lottery Draws Are Back
Perhaps the biggest announcement for long-time lottery players is the return of live televised draws. Many South Africans fondly remember watching the Lotto balls being drawn live on television. While lottery draws continued under Ithuba, live televised ball draws became far less common. Sizekhaya has brought them back.
Lotto and PowerBall draws are once again conducted using physical draw machines and broadcast live with independent oversight. Many South African players believe live draws add an extra level of transparency and trust to the lottery process. Daily Lotto remains computer-generated due to its daily draw schedule.
Scratch Cards Have Returned
Scratch cards are officially back.
Players can once again purchase National Lottery scratch cards from participating retailers around South Africa.
Available options include games such as:
- African Dream
- Igolide
- African Royals
- Kasi Kings
- 5X The Money
Top prizes range from tens of thousands of rand up to R500,000 depending on the card. For players who enjoy instant results instead of waiting for draw nights, scratch cards provide another entertainment option.
New E-Instant Games
One of the biggest additions under Sizekhaya is the introduction of E-Instant games. These online instant-win games allow registered players to play directly from their National Lottery account and receive results immediately.
Popular launch titles include:
- Crazy Mole
- Ninja
- Goal of Glory
- Jungle Treasures
The games offer top prizes ranging from R40,000 up to R1 million. Players simply fund their lottery wallet and start playing online.
MatchPlay Replaces Sportstake
Sports pool fans will also notice a significant change. The familiar Sportstake brand has been replaced by MatchPlay. The gameplay remains largely the same. Players predict the outcomes of selected sporting fixtures and win prizes based on how many predictions they get correct. We’ve covered how the new Matchplay game works in a seperate article.
Available formats include:
- MatchPlay 8
- MatchPlay 13
- MatchPlay 14
- MatchPlay 9/14
- MatchPlay 14 Omnisports
Each board costs R2 and Quick Pick functionality remains available. For regular Sportstake players, the transition is largely cosmetic, with the underlying game remaining familiar.
How to Register and Play
Getting started with Sizekhaya is straightforward. Players must create an account on the official site at www.nationallottery.co.za using their:
- Full name
- South African ID number
- South African mobile number
- You must be 18 years or older to register.
Once registered, players can fund their wallet using:
- Instant EFT
- Visa
- Mastercard
- OTT Voucher
- 1Voucher
- The minimum deposit is R2.
Existing Ithuba accounts do not transfer across to the new platform. All players need to register a brand-new account with Sizekhaya.
How to login on the National Lotto site
The login process on the South African National Lotto site is straightforward if you have a registered account. You will not be able to login with your old details, you must first create a new account in order to login:
- Visit the official National Lottery site at www.nationallottery.co.za
- Tap the login button on the top right of the homepage
- Enter your phone number and password
- Tap the login button to access your account
Claiming Your Winnings
Prize claims depend on the value of your win. Smaller prizes are automatically credited to your online wallet. Larger winnings may require additional verification before payment is processed. Players have up to 365 days from the draw date to claim eligible prizes.
Why This Matters for South African Players
The National Lottery is one of the most recognised gaming brands in South Africa, and this change represents far more than a simple operator switch. Sizekhaya is attempting to modernise the entire lottery experience through improved technology, better online functionality, new games, enhanced transparency, and a stronger focus on digital play. The return of live draws, the introduction of E-Instant games, and the launch of MatchPlay show that the new operator is looking to evolve the lottery while keeping familiar favourites available for existing players.
The Gambler’s Thoughts
The Sizekhaya launch is probably the biggest National Lottery update we’ve seen in years. From what we’ve seen testing the new platform, the website feels significantly more modern, registration is straightforward, and the addition of E-Instant games brings the lottery more in line with modern gaming trends.
The return of live televised draws is also a major positive. Many South African players prefer seeing physical draw machines in action, and it adds a level of confidence that has been missing for some time. While it will take time for players to fully adjust to the new system, the early signs suggest that Sizekhaya is taking the National Lottery in a positive direction.
Visit The Gambler for more betting news, guides and insights. You can also explore our list of the best casino sites in South Africa, or check out our latest no deposit free spins offers currently available. Best of luck with your betting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who operates the National Lottery in South Africa now?
Sizekhaya Holdings officially became the National Lottery operator on 1 June 2026.
Are Lotto and PowerBall still available?
Yes. Both Lotto and PowerBall remain available, although some number ranges and game formats have changed.
Has Sportstake been discontinued?
Sportstake has been rebranded as MatchPlay. The core gameplay remains very similar.
Are live lottery draws back?
Yes. Lotto and PowerBall draws are once again broadcast live using physical draw machines.
Can I still use my old Ithuba account?
No. Existing Ithuba accounts do not transfer to Sizekhaya. Players must create a new account.
Are scratch cards available again?
Yes. National Lottery scratch cards have returned and are available through participating retailers.
Can I play lottery games online?
Yes. Players can register online, fund a wallet, buy tickets, and play E-Instant games directly through the new platform.
Warren’s been in the betting game for over 15 years, testing sites, chasing bonuses, and figuring out what actually pays and what doesn’t. He’s spent plenty of time on Spina Zonke, with Hot Hot Fruit being a long-time favourite. At The Gambler, he shares real, straight-talking insights to help South African players get more value from their play and stay away from the sites that aren’t worth it.