Why Do Players Compare Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2?
Every time a South African buys a Lotto ticket at a retailer or on the Ithuba app, they are offered a choice: add Lotto Plus 1, Lotto Plus 2, or both. At R2.50 extra per board each, these add-on draws are among the lowest-cost ways to enter additional Lotto draws in South Africa — though, like all lottery play, each entry is a bet with a negative expected return.
The question "which is better — Lotto Plus 1 or Lotto Plus 2?" is a common one, and the honest answer is more nuanced than most lottery sites admit. Both games are built on an identical 6/52 number matrix with the same jackpot odds of 1 in 20,358,520. So the differences are not about probability at all — they come down to prize pool size, ticket cost, jackpot build-up, and your personal playing budget.
This guide breaks down every angle so you can decide whether to add one Plus game, both, or neither — and always within a budget you can comfortably afford to lose.
How Both Games Work: A Clear Overview
Lotto Plus 1
Lotto Plus 2
Ticket Cost Breakdown
When you add the Plus games, you do not choose new numbers. Your original 6 Lotto numbers are automatically entered into the Plus 1 and Plus 2 draws. Each draw uses a completely independent ball machine, so each result is entirely separate from the others. One set of numbers can win in any or all three draws — but each entry is paid for separately, and each carries the same odds.
Key Differences Between Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2
Since both games use an identical 6/52 matrix, the meaningful differences are structural and financial — not mathematical. Here is what actually sets them apart:
| Factor | 🟣 Lotto Plus 1 | 🟢 Lotto Plus 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Additional cost | R2.50 extra per board | R2.50 extra per board (after Plus 1) |
| Can play independently? | Yes Advantage | No — requires Plus 1 |
| Prize pool size | Larger — more players enter Advantage | Smaller — fewer players enter |
| Typical jackpot size | Higher on average Advantage | Lower, but rolls over more often |
| Jackpot rollover frequency | Less frequent rollovers | More frequent rollovers — higher ceiling potential Advantage |
| Prize odds (all divisions) | Identical to Plus 2 | Identical to Plus 1 |
| Draw order | Second (after main Lotto) | Third (after Plus 1) |
| Split jackpot risk | Higher (more players) | Lower (fewer players) Advantage |
The single biggest practical difference is prize pool size. Because Plus 1 attracts more players (many players add only Plus 1 and not Plus 2), its prize pool is consistently larger. This results in higher typical jackpots for Plus 1. However, it also means the jackpot is won more frequently, limiting the size of rollovers.
Plus 2 has a smaller player base, which means two things: jackpots tend to start lower, but they also roll over more often before being won, occasionally building to surprisingly large sums. It also means there is a slightly lower chance of sharing the jackpot with another winner. Note that none of these differences change your odds of winning — only the size of the prize you would collect.
Detailed Odds Comparison: Are They Actually the Same?
Jackpot Odds — Identical by Design
The jackpot odds for Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 are identical: 1 in 20,358,520. Both games use the exact same 6/52 number matrix as the main Lotto draw. The probability of matching all 6 balls in either Plus game is exactly the same.
This is the most important fact to understand: neither Plus game gives you better odds than the other, and adding a Plus game does not improve the odds of any individual entry. The combination count is C(52,6) = 20,358,520 for every draw — main Lotto, Plus 1, and Plus 2 alike. What differs is only the size of the prize you would collect if you won.
Odds of Winning Any Prize
| Game | Jackpot Odds | Any Prize Odds | Minimum Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎱 Main Lotto | 1 in 20,358,520 | 1 in ~38 | ~R20 |
| 🟣 Lotto Plus 1 | 1 in 20,358,520 | 1 in ~38 | ~R20 |
| 🟢 Lotto Plus 2 | 1 in 20,358,520 | 1 in ~38 | ~R20 |
Full Division-by-Division Odds (Applies to All Three Games)
| Division | Match Required | Odds (1 in…) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 (Jackpot) | 6 balls | 20,358,520 | Identical across all 3 draws |
| Division 2 | 5 balls + bonus | 3,393,087 | Bonus ball drawn separately |
| Division 3 | 5 balls | 75,402 | |
| Division 4 | 4 balls + bonus | 30,161 | |
| Division 5 | 4 balls | 1,371 | |
| Division 6 | 3 balls + bonus | 1,028 | |
| Division 7 | 3 balls | 96 | |
| Division 8 | 2 balls + bonus | 72 | Minimum & most commonly won prize (~R20) |
Division 8 — matching 2 balls plus the bonus ball — has odds of 1 in 72, making it the most realistic win in any of the three games. A full R10.00 ticket (Lotto + Plus 1 + Plus 2) enters your numbers into three independent draws, so you have three separate chances at a Division 8 prize — but you are paying three times the price, and the odds within each individual draw stay at 1 in 72. More entries mean more coverage, not better per-line odds, and all three games still pay out less than they take in on average.
Full Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Everything you need to compare Lotto Plus 1 vs Lotto Plus 2 at a glance, based on official Ithuba game structures.
| Category | 🟣 Lotto Plus 1 | 🟢 Lotto Plus 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Additional cost | R2.50 per board | R2.50 per board |
| Total ticket cost (1 board) | R7.50 | R10.00 (incl. Plus 1) |
| Number matrix | 6/52 | 6/52 |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 20,358,520 Tie | 1 in 20,358,520 Tie |
| Any prize odds | 1 in ~38 Tie | 1 in ~38 Tie |
| Prize divisions | 8 Tie | 8 Tie |
| Draw days | Wed & Sat Tie | Wed & Sat Tie |
| Avg. jackpot size | Higher Advantage | Lower, but rollover-dependent |
| Rollover jackpot potential | Moderate | Higher ceiling (rolls more) Advantage |
| Prize pool revenue | Larger (more players) | Smaller (fewer players) |
| Jackpot split risk | Slightly higher | Slightly lower Advantage |
| Can play standalone? | Yes Advantage | No — requires Plus 1 first |
| Tax on winnings | None (tax-free) Tie | None (tax-free) Tie |
| Winnings paid by | Ithuba Holdings Tie | Ithuba Holdings Tie |
| Claim period | 365 days Tie | 365 days Tie |
Prize Payouts and Real Winning Chances
Understanding how prizes are funded explains why Plus 1 and Plus 2 jackpots differ despite identical odds. Ithuba allocates a fixed percentage of each game's ticket revenue to that game's prize pool. Since Plus 1 attracts more participating boards than Plus 2, its absolute prize pool is larger — and the jackpot reflects that.
Typical Prize Ranges by Division
| Division | Odds | 🟣 Plus 1 Typical Prize | 🟢 Plus 2 Typical Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Div 1 (Jackpot) | 1 in 20,358,520 | R3M – R30M+ | R1M – R15M+ |
| Div 2 | 1 in 3,393,087 | ~R100,000–R500,000 | ~R50,000–R250,000 |
| Div 3 | 1 in 75,402 | ~R5,000–R20,000 | ~R2,500–R10,000 |
| Div 4 | 1 in 30,161 | ~R1,000–R5,000 | ~R500–R2,500 |
| Div 5 | 1 in 1,371 | ~R100–R500 | ~R50–R250 |
| Div 6 | 1 in 1,028 | ~R50–R200 | ~R30–R100 |
| Div 7 | 1 in 96 | ~R20–R50 | ~R20–R40 |
| Div 8 | 1 in 72 | ~R20 | ~R20 |
Note: Prize amounts are pari-mutuel (shared among all winners in each division) and vary draw to draw. Figures above are indicative based on historical patterns, not guaranteed.
Divisions 7 and 8 account for the overwhelming majority of all prizes paid out. Division 8 (match 2 balls + bonus, 1 in 72) is achievable enough that a regular player buying one board per draw would, on average, win it roughly once every 72 draws. The prize is small — around R20 — and well below what a regular player spends over that time, so it should be seen as part of the entertainment, not a return on money.
Pros and Cons of Each Plus Game
Pros
- Lowest-cost add-on (only R2.50 extra)
- Can be added without Plus 2 — flexible
- Larger prize pool means bigger typical jackpots
- More prize money across all divisions on average
- Adds a second jackpot entry for 50% more spend (odds per entry unchanged)
- Widely popular — easy to track results
Cons
- More players means slightly higher jackpot split risk
- Jackpot won more frequently — limits massive rollover builds
- Lower-tier prizes are pari-mutuel, so more winners = smaller shares
- Still a negative-expected-value bet, like all lottery play
Pros
- Third independent jackpot entry for the same 6 numbers
- Smaller player base reduces jackpot split risk
- Jackpot rolls over more often — can build to large values
- Same R2.50 cost as Plus 1 — consistent pricing
- Identical odds to Plus 1 — no statistical downside
Cons
- Cannot be purchased without Plus 1 — requires R5.00 total extra
- Smaller prize pool means lower typical payouts across divisions
- Lower average jackpot at the time of winning
- Starting jackpots tend to be smaller than Plus 1
- Triples your spend per ticket without improving any entry's odds
Which One Should You Play? An Honest Recommendation
Since the odds are mathematically identical, your choice should be based on your budget, your playing goal, and your appetite for prize size vs frequency — and only if you have decided to play in the first place. Here is a direct, honest breakdown:
🟣 Add Plus 1 if…
You have decided to play and want the lowest-cost way to add a second entry. Adding only Plus 1 at R2.50 extra gives you a second jackpot entry and taps into the larger prize pool, for the smallest extra outlay. See the latest Lotto Plus 1 results.
🟢 Add Plus 2 as well if…
Your budget comfortably covers the full R10.00 per board and you want three independent jackpot entries per number set. Plus 2 makes most sense when its jackpot has rolled over and is sitting higher than usual — better prize value for the same R2.50 — though it does not change your odds. Track rollovers on our Lotto results page.
For players who have chosen to play and want to add a draw, Plus 1 is the most cost-efficient add-on: R2.50 more, a second jackpot entry, and the larger prize pool. Plus 2 adds value when the budget allows or when its rollover jackpot is notably large. Neither is "better" on odds — they are identical — so the decision is purely about cost and prize size. Whatever you choose, treat the spend as entertainment money you can afford to lose, never as an investment.
Playing one R10.00 full board (Lotto + Plus 1 + Plus 2) every week for a year costs R520. Over that time you will play 104 draws per game — 312 draw entries in total. Your probability of winning a jackpot at least once across all three games remains far below 0.01%. On average, you should expect to spend far more than you win back. Play for fun, within a sensible budget, and treat any win as a bonus.
Adding more games multiplies your spend, not your odds. The lottery is entertainment, never a way to make money. You must be 18 or older to play. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free confidential help is available 24/7 from the National Responsible Gambling Programme on 0800 006 008 or at responsiblegambling.org.za.
Smart Playing Tips for Lotto Plus Games
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Add Plus 1 before Plus 2 — always
You cannot access Plus 2 without Plus 1. If your budget only allows for one add-on, Plus 1 is the lower-cost choice: larger prize pool, bigger average jackpot, and no mandatory link to a second game.
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Check the Plus 2 jackpot before deciding
If the Plus 2 jackpot has rolled over several times and is significantly larger than the Plus 1 jackpot, the R2.50 for Plus 2 buys a bigger potential prize in that specific draw (the odds stay the same). Monitor current jackpots on our Lotto results history page.
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Spread your number selection
Since the same numbers are used across all three draws, a spread selection applies to every game at once. It does not improve your odds — every combination is equally likely — but it can reduce the chance of sharing a prize. Our random number generator produces spread combinations for you, for entertainment only and not as a forecast.
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Treat hot and cold numbers as history
Every draw is fully random and no number is ever "due". Our Hot & Cold Number tracker shows which balls have appeared most and least often in recent Lotto draws — interesting background when choosing your 6 numbers, but it cannot improve your chances.
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Always check all three games on your ticket
A common mistake is checking only the main Lotto draw and missing a Plus win. Use our free ticket checker to verify your numbers against the main Lotto, Plus 1, and Plus 2 results in one step — covering months of draws instantly. You have 365 days to claim.
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Understand what a system bet really does
A system bet covers many combinations of your chosen numbers across all active draws at once. It can win more lower-division prizes because it plays more lines — but it costs proportionally more, does not change the odds of any single line, and does not alter the negative expected value. Only use one within a budget you can afford to lose. Our number generator can help you explore the options.