How to Play Lotto Plus 2 South Africa —
Complete 2026 Beginner's Guide
How do you play Lotto Plus 2 in South Africa?
Lotto Plus 2 is an optional add-on to the main SA Lotto ticket. Buy a Lotto board (R 5.00), tick the Lotto Plus 2 option (+R 2.50 per board), and your same 6 numbers automatically enter a second separate draw held every Wednesday and Saturday at approximately 20:56 SAST — giving you an extra jackpot chance with no new number selection needed.
Lotto Plus 2 South Africa is a popular add-on that transforms your standard Lotto ticket into three separate jackpot opportunities for the price of an additional R 2.50 per board. This complete guide explains exactly how Lotto Plus 2 works, how it differs from the main Lotto and Lotto Plus 1, what it costs, the prize divisions, and how to check your results.
You can also explore our Lotto Plus 2 hot and cold numbers, check the latest Lotto Plus 2 results, or browse our Lotto Plus 2 predictions to sharpen your strategy.
Lotto Plus 2 was introduced alongside Lotto Plus 1 as part of the National Lottery's expansion of add-on options for SA Lotto players. Both add-ons use your original 6 Lotto numbers but enter them into completely independent draws with their own prize pools, jackpots, and bonus balls.
The key appeal of Lotto Plus 2 is value for money. For just R 2.50 more per board, you receive a full second entry into a draw with an eight-division prize structure and an independently growing jackpot. If you are already playing Lotto Plus 1, adding Lotto Plus 2 brings your total per-board cost to R 10.00 for three draw entries.
Importantly, your results on Lotto Plus 1 and the main Lotto draw have zero influence on your Lotto Plus 2 result — all three draws are completely independent events managed by separate certified RNG equipment.
What Is Lotto Plus 2 South Africa?
Lotto Plus 2 is an optional supplementary draw attached to the main South African National Lottery (SA Lotto) game, operated by Ithuba Holdings under licence from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). It is the second add-on layer available to Lotto players, sitting after Lotto Plus 1 in the draw sequence every Wednesday and Saturday evening.
When you opt into Lotto Plus 2, your existing 6 Lotto numbers are automatically entered into a completely separate draw — using its own drum of 52 balls plus one bonus ball — for an additional R 2.50 per board. You do not choose new numbers; your Lotto selection does all the work.
Understanding the Three-Draw Structure
The SA Lotto system runs three sequential draws each Wednesday and Saturday night. Here's how they layer:
Key point: You can add Lotto Plus 2 without adding Lotto Plus 1 — they are independent add-ons. However, you must always have a base Lotto ticket to access either add-on game.
How Lotto Plus 2 Compares to Other SA Lottery Games
| Game | Numbers | Ball Pool | Bonus Ball | Draw Days | Entry Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA Lotto | 6 of 52 | 1–52 | Yes | Wed & Sat | R 5.00 |
| Lotto Plus 1 | Same 6 | 1–52 | Yes | Wed & Sat | +R 2.50 |
| Lotto Plus 2 ★ | Same 6 | 1–52 | Yes | Wed & Sat | +R 2.50 |
| Daily Lotto | 5 of 36 | 1–36 | None | Every Day | R 3.00 |
| PowerBall | 5 + PB | 1–50 + 1–20 | Yes (PB) | Tue & Fri | R 5.00 |
How to Play Lotto Plus 2 South Africa — Step-by-Step
Follow these 7 steps to add Lotto Plus 2 to your SA Lotto entry. The process is identical whether you play at a physical retailer or online through an authorised platform.
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1
Get a Lotto Playslip From a Retailer
Visit any authorised National Lottery retailer across South Africa and collect a standard SA Lotto playslip. This is the same slip used for Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 entries — everything is on a single, combined playslip.
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2
Choose Your 6 Lotto Numbers (1–52)
Select 6 different numbers from 1 to 52 for your main Lotto board. Or ask for a Quick Pick — the terminal randomly selects 6 numbers for you using a certified random number algorithm. These are the same numbers that will be used automatically for your Lotto Plus 2 entry.
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3
Mark the Lotto Plus 2 Add-On Box
On the same playslip, find the Lotto Plus 2 option and mark it (it is usually a checkbox or a separate column). You do not need to choose new numbers — your existing 6 numbers are automatically entered into the Lotto Plus 2 draw. The additional cost is R 2.50 per board.
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4
Decide How Many Boards to Play
Each board with Lotto Plus 2 costs a total of R 7.50 (R 5.00 for Lotto + R 2.50 for Plus 2), or R 10.00 if you also add Lotto Plus 1. You can enter multiple boards on one ticket — each with different number combinations and each independently entered into all opted-in draws.
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5
Hand In Your Slip & Receive Your Ticket
Submit your completed playslip to the retailer. The terminal will print your official lottery ticket confirming your Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 (if selected), and Lotto Plus 2 entries. Verify that "LP2" appears on your ticket before leaving the counter. Store your ticket safely.
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6
Watch the Draw — Wednesday & Saturday ~20:56 SAST
The Lotto Plus 2 draw takes place every Wednesday and Saturday evening at approximately 20:56 SAST, immediately after the Lotto Plus 1 draw. Five balls are drawn from a drum of 52, followed by a bonus ball from the same pool. Draws are broadcast live on Ithuba's official digital platforms.
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7
Check Your Results & Claim Within 365 Days
Compare your 6 numbers against the Lotto Plus 2 winning numbers. Match 2 main numbers plus the bonus ball or more to win a prize in one of the 8 prize divisions. All prizes must be claimed within 365 days of the draw date or they are forfeited.
Lotto Plus 2 Rules South Africa
These are the official rules governing Lotto Plus 2 as operated by Ithuba under the National Lotteries Act.
6 balls drawn from 1–52 plus 1 bonus ball from the same pool. Automatically uses your Lotto numbers.
Lotto Plus 2 cannot be entered without first buying a main SA Lotto board. It is an add-on, not a standalone game.
Every Wednesday and Saturday at approximately 20:56 SAST — the third draw of the evening after Lotto and Lotto Plus 1.
Players must be 18 years or older under the National Gambling Act. ID may be requested at the point of purchase.
Quick Pick applies to your main Lotto numbers, which are automatically carried over to your Lotto Plus 2 entry.
All prizes must be claimed within 365 days of the draw date. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after this period.
Ticket sales close shortly before the draw. If you are buying your ticket on draw day, complete your purchase well before 20:52 SAST (when the main Lotto draw begins) to guarantee entry into all three draws.
How Much Does Lotto Plus 2 Cost in South Africa?
Lotto Plus 2 costs R 2.50 per board as an add-on. You cannot buy Lotto Plus 2 on its own — it must be combined with a main Lotto ticket. Below is the per-board cost breakdown for each entry combination.
Multiple Board Cost Examples
| Boards | Lotto Only | Lotto + Plus 2 | Full Combo (All Three) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 board | R 5.00 | R 7.50 | R 10.00 |
| 3 boards | R 15.00 | R 22.50 | R 30.00 |
| 5 boards | R 25.00 | R 37.50 | R 50.00 |
| 10 boards | R 50.00 | R 75.00 | R 100.00 |
Value perspective: For R 7.50 per board, you receive two independent jackpot entries (Lotto + Lotto Plus 2) using one set of numbers. The plus-up cost is low relative to the additional prize opportunity. Always budget your lottery spend before play.
Lotto Plus 2 Prize Divisions South Africa
Lotto Plus 2 has 8 prize divisions, identical in structure to the main SA Lotto. Division 1 (the jackpot) requires matching all 6 main numbers. The lowest division (Division 8) requires matching only 2 main numbers plus the bonus ball. Divisions 1–7 are pari-mutuel (pool-based); Division 8 pays a fixed R 20.00.
| Division | Numbers Matched | Odds (1 in…) | Estimated Prize | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | 6 of 6 | 1 in 20,358,520 | Jackpot (rolled-over pool) | Jackpot |
| Division 2 | 5 of 6 + Bonus | 1 in 3,393,087 | ~R 60,000 – R 200,000 | Very High |
| Division 3 | 5 of 6 | 1 in 56,551 | ~R 2,000 – R 8,000 | High |
| Division 4 | 4 of 6 + Bonus | 1 in 22,620 | ~R 1,000 – R 4,000 | High |
| Division 5 | 4 of 6 | 1 in 1,083 | ~R 100 – R 600 | Mid |
| Division 6 | 3 of 6 + Bonus | 1 in 812 | ~R 50 – R 200 | Mid |
| Division 7 | 3 of 6 | 1 in 57 | ~R 20 – R 80 | Low |
| Division 8 | 2 of 6 + Bonus | 1 in 96 | Fixed R 20.00 | Low |
* Divisions 1–7 are pari-mutuel — prize amounts depend on ticket sales and winner count. Division 8 pays a fixed R 20.00. Jackpot rolls over when there is no Division 1 winner. Estimated prize ranges are illustrative.
How the Lotto Plus 2 Jackpot Works
The Lotto Plus 2 jackpot is funded by a percentage of all Lotto Plus 2 ticket sales for that specific draw. If no player matches all 6 numbers, the Division 1 prize pool rolls over to the next Wednesday or Saturday draw, growing with each accumulation. Multiple Division 1 winners share the jackpot equally. There is no cap on rollovers.
Lotto Plus 2 maintains a completely independent jackpot from both the main Lotto and Lotto Plus 1 draws. Winning or not winning on one of those draws has no effect whatsoever on your Lotto Plus 2 jackpot.
What Are the Odds of Winning Lotto Plus 2 in South Africa?
The odds of winning Lotto Plus 2 are identical to the main SA Lotto because both games draw from the same 52-ball pool using the same structure. The key is that each draw is completely independent — Lotto Plus 2 effectively gives you a fresh, entirely separate lottery entry using your existing numbers.
| Division | Match Requirement | Odds of Winning | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Div 1 — Jackpot | All 6 main numbers | 1 in 20,358,520 | Extremely rare — jackpot event |
| Div 2 | 5 + bonus ball | 1 in 3,393,087 | Very rare — major prize |
| Div 3 | 5 of 6 main | 1 in 56,551 | Uncommon — significant prize |
| Div 4 | 4 + bonus ball | 1 in 22,620 | Uncommon — good prize |
| Div 5 | 4 of 6 main | 1 in 1,083 | Occasional — modest prize |
| Div 6 | 3 + bonus ball | 1 in 812 | Occasional — small prize |
| Div 7 | 3 of 6 main | 1 in 57 | Relatively common — small prize |
| Div 8 | 2 + bonus ball | 1 in 96 | Reasonably common — R 20 fixed |
| Any Prize (Overall) | ~1 in 38 | Best accessible estimate | |
Perspective: The Lotto Plus 2 jackpot shares the same 1-in-20-million odds as the main Lotto. But for only R 2.50 more per board, you gain a second independent 1-in-20-million jackpot attempt — plus a separate chance at all 8 prize divisions with the same overall 1-in-38 prize probability.
How to Check Lotto Plus 2 Results in South Africa
Lotto Plus 2 results are published immediately after the ~20:56 SAST Wednesday and Saturday draw. Use any of the following methods to verify your ticket:
- 🌐 This website — Lotto Plus 2 results page, updated automatically after every draw
- 🏪 National Lottery retailer terminal — scan your barcode for an instant win/no-win confirmation printout
- 💻 Official National Lottery website — nationallottery.co.za publishes all draw results
- 📱 National Lottery mobile app — scan your ticket barcode for instant checking
- 📺 DSTV Lottery channel — results broadcast live and displayed on-demand
- 📞 USSD service — dial *120*7529# from any South African mobile network
How to Claim a Lotto Plus 2 Prize
- Up to R 2,000: Claim at any authorised National Lottery retailer with your original winning ticket
- R 2,001 – R 50,000: Claim at a National Lottery regional claims office
- Over R 50,000: Claim at Ithuba's head office in Johannesburg (appointment may be required)
- Online winnings: Credited directly to your verified National Lottery online account
365-day deadline: Every Lotto Plus 2 prize must be claimed within one year of the specific draw date. After that deadline, unclaimed prizes are legally forfeited and transferred to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund. Set a reminder if you have unchecked older tickets.
Can You Play Lotto Plus 2 Online in South Africa?
Yes — Lotto Plus 2 can be added to your online Lotto ticket through officially licensed digital lottery platforms in South Africa. The process mirrors the in-store experience but is fully digital and convenient for mobile players.
How to Add Lotto Plus 2 Online
- Register and verify your account on nationallottery.co.za or an authorised digital partner (FICA verification required)
- Navigate to the SA Lotto game section and select your 6 numbers (or Quick Pick)
- Before confirming, toggle the Lotto Plus 2 add-on — it will show the R 2.50 per board addition to your total
- Optionally also add Lotto Plus 1 if desired
- Select the number of draws ahead you wish to enter (consecutive-draw booking is available)
- Complete secure payment — debit card, credit card, or linked e-wallet
- Receive your digital entry confirmation; check results in your account dashboard
Safety: Only use platforms licensed by the National Gambling Board (NGB) and the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). Unlicensed lottery websites are illegal in South Africa. Legitimate platforms display their licence numbers prominently. Use two-factor authentication to protect your account.
Common Lotto Plus 2 Mistakes South African Players Make
These are the most frequent avoidable errors — knowing them protects your entries and any potential winnings.
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Forgetting to Tick the Lotto Plus 2 Box
The most common mistake is buying a Lotto ticket but forgetting to mark the Plus 2 option on the playslip. Always double-check your ticket printout shows "LP2" before leaving the retailer counter.
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Losing or Damaging a Physical Ticket
Your printed ticket is your proof of entry and ownership. A lost or damaged ticket may invalidate a prize claim. Store tickets safely and away from water or sunlight immediately after purchase.
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Missing the 365-Day Claim Deadline
Players often forget to check older tickets. The 365-day claim window counts from the exact draw date — not the date you discover you won. Check all tickets promptly after every draw.
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Mismarking the Playslip
Marking fewer or more than 6 numbers, selecting numbers outside the 1–52 range, or smudging the slip can cause your entry to be rejected or processed incorrectly. Check your slip thoroughly before submitting.
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Buying Too Close to the Draw Deadline
Ticket sales close shortly before the main Lotto draw at ~20:52 SAST. If you buy at the last minute on draw day, your entry may not be processed in time. Buy your ticket earlier in the day.
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Exceeding Your Entertainment Budget
Playing multiple boards across Lotto, Plus 1, and Plus 2 can add up quickly. Decide on a fixed lottery budget in advance and stick to it strictly. Lottery play should remain affordable entertainment.
⚠️ Responsible Gaming — Play Safely
Lotto Plus 2 is a game of pure chance. No strategy, system, or historical pattern can predict or improve the probability of winning. Treat lottery participation as low-cost entertainment — never as an investment or income source.
- Set a fixed budget before you play and never exceed it
- Never borrow money or use essential household funds to buy lottery tickets
- Do not chase losses across multiple draws in pursuit of a win
- If lottery gambling is affecting your financial wellbeing or relationships, seek support
Free confidential support: Contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) toll-free on 0800 006 008 (24/7, South Africa). Online counselling: responsiblegambling.co.za
Lotto Plus 2 South Africa — Frequently Asked Questions
⚠️ This guide is for informational and educational purposes only. Lotto Plus 2 is operated by Ithuba National Lottery under licence from the National Lotteries Commission. All draw outcomes are random and independently audited. No information on this page constitutes gambling advice or guarantees of winning. Ticket prices and rules are subject to change — always confirm current rules at nationallottery.co.za. Play responsibly. Free support: 0800 006 008.