Over 36.8 million adult South Africans played the lotto at least once in their lifetime, but there’s another exciting way to win big just by picking your favourite numbers. It’s called Lucky Numbers betting, and it’s a very popular pastime in South Africa.
You’re still picking lotto numbers, but instead of buying a ticket, you bet on the results of international and national lottery draws. And the best part is you don’t share your winnings with anyone else. Your payout only depends on your odds and stake.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about Lucky Numbers betting in South Africa, from how it works to which are the best sites to bet on Lucky Numbers.
Top Lucky Numbers Sites for South Africans in October 2025
If you’re ready to take your shot at the next lottery draw, here are my top picks for where to bet. Each of these licensed ZA betting sites makes playing Lucky Numbers quick, fair, and fun, with real-money payouts, great odds, and a few unique features that make them stand out.
1. Betway
Betway tops the list since it’s easily the most popular place in South Africa to play Lucky Numbers. You can bet on real international draws like the UK49s or Powerball and win up to 120,000x your stake.
Your winnings are paid straight into your account, with no wagering requirements and instant withdrawals. Everything runs smoothly on the app too, making it simple to bet, check results, and cash out in seconds.
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Unique selling point: No rollover or wagering requirements to claim your winnings.
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Best for: Players who want a reliable, hassle-free Lucky Numbers experience with big win potential.
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18+ New Players only. Play responsibly Winners Know When to Stop. Terms Apply.
2. Easybet
If Betway is the classic, Easybet is the colourful new kid that makes betting feel like an adventure. The Lucky Numbers lobby is bright, dynamic, and packed with features, including countdown timers, colour-coded balls, and even a “Shaman AI” that picks numbers for you.
You can browse draws by popularity or country and check hot and cold numbers from the previous 100 results. Plus, the Lucky Streak Bonus gives you an extra R50 if you bet at least R10 every day for a week. Payouts can reach up to R1 million, so every small stake still feels like it could lead to something big.
Unique selling point: Smart AI numbers picker and exclusive Lucky Numbers bonuses.
Best for: Players who love interactive features and a visually exciting betting experience.
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18+ New Players only. Play responsibly. Winners Know When to Stop. Terms Apply.
3. Hollywoodbets
When it comes to variety, Hollywoodbets takes the cake. With over 3,000 Lucky Numbers draws every week, you’ll never run out of options. You can filter by country, draw time, or results, and even stream live lottery draws once logged in.
Hollywoodbets also offers 13 different market types, including side bets like Bonus Ball Odd/Even or Hi/Lo. And if you’re feeling indecisive, just shake your phone. The “Hollyshake It” feature will randomise your picks instantly.
Unique selling point: Live draw streaming and “Hollyshake It”, a mobile shake-to-pick feature.
Best for: Players who crave variety and love an interactive mobile experience.
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18+ New Players only. Play responsibly. Winners Know When to Stop. Terms Apply.
4. TicTacBets
TicTacBets might not be the biggest brand, but it’s a solid pick for Lucky Numbers fans. With 100+ daily draws from over 30 countries, it gives you the flexibility to build multi-draw combos. Boost your potential winnings up to 10x using the unique Multi-Bet & Combo Play feature.
The dark-themed interface feels sleek and easy to use. It’s niche in that you can bet online or in-store. However, there are only physical TicTacBets branches in the Northern Cape and North West.
Unique selling point: Multi-draw combos that can multiply your winnings on a single ticket.
Best for: Experienced bettors who like mixing strategies and building combo plays.
5. YesPlay
YesPlay is all about control and transparency. You can bet on lotteries from 20+ countries, check stats, and filter past results by date. It’s the ideal Lucky Numbers betting site for players who like spotting trends before betting.
YesPlay lets you cancel your bet if you make a mistake (a rare and handy feature). You can choose from several bet types like odd/even balls, divisible numbers, or even “unlucky” number bets for fun.
Unique selling point: Full control with easy bet cancellations and detailed stats.
Best for: Careful players who value flexibility and data when placing their bets.
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18+ New Players only. Play responsibly. Winners Know When to Stop. Terms Apply.
Lucky Numbers Bonuses & Promotions
15% Lucky Numbers Cash Back
Easybet gives you up to 15% cashback in bonus bets on all your net losing Lucky Numbers bets every Thursday. It’s a simple way to turn a tough week into a second chance to play (and win) again.
You don’t need to do anything to claim this bonus. Easybet automatically calculates your Lucky Numbers results each week. If your net losses qualify, your cashback bonus bets will be credited to your account.
Bonus details:
15% Cash Back on net losses of R500+
10% Cash Back on losses between R99–R499
Valid: Monday–Sunday (paid every Thursday)
Applies to: All Lucky Numbers bets
Lucky Streak Bonus – Get R50 Every Week
Easybet gives you an R50 bonus bet every week when you place a R10+ Lucky Numbers bet every day for 7 days in a row. It’s the perfect incentive to keep your streak going and turn your lucky run into extra playtime.
You’ll need to contact customer support (via email or live chat) once you’ve completed your 7-day streak to claim your R50 Bonus. The bonus will be credited to your account within 24 hours.
Bonus details:
Reward: R50 Bonus Bet
Payout: Bonus credited within 24 hours
Valid for: Sports and Lucky Numbers bets
Bonus expiry: 7 days after being credited
Max win: R1,000 from the bonus bet
10% Lucky Numbers Cashback Bonus
Play Lucky Numbers on YesPlay and get 10% of your weekly losses back every Monday. Just sign up or log in, place your Lucky Numbers bets, and if your total losses for the week are over R100, you’ll get your 10% cashback credited the following Monday.
Bonus details:
Cashback: 10% of weekly Lucky Numbers losses
Qualifying losses: Over R100 (odds must be 2.0+)
Bonus period: Monday 00:00 – Sunday 23:59
Payout: Every Monday
Wagering requirement: 3x (deposit + bonus) before withdrawal
How Lucky Number Betting Works
If you’re still placing a bet on a lottery draw, how is Lucky Numbers different from the lotto?
The main difference is that with Lucky Numbers, you’re not buying a lottery ticket — you’re betting on the outcome of official lottery draws that happen around the world.
You pick your numbers, place your stake, and if your predictions match the drawn numbers, you win. Simple as that.
Traditional lotteries use a shared jackpot system, so your prize depends on how many other players also got it right. On the other hand, Lucky Numbers uses a fixed odds system, meaning:
You always know exactly what you can win before you place your bet.
Your payout depends on your stake and the odds, not other players.
You keep 100% of your winnings — nothing is shared or split.
The more numbers you predict correctly, the bigger your payout.
Each draw is independent, so you can win multiple times in a day.
Example: Betting on the UK49s Teatime draw
Let’s say you bet R10 on two numbers (2-ball bet) in the UK49s Teatime draw. If both of your numbers are drawn, you’ll win based on fixed odds, usually around 150/1 for that type of bet.
Your Bet | Stake | Example Odds | If You Win... |
---|---|---|---|
1 Number | R10 | 10/1 | You win R100 |
2 Numbers | R10 | 150/1 | You win R1,500 |
2 Numbers | R20 | 150/1 | You win R3,000 |
3 Numbers | R10 | 1,500/1 | You win R15,000 |
Note: Odds vary depending on the site and draw. This is just an example.
Popular Lucky Number Draws to Bet On
The beauty of betting on Lucky Numbers is that there are loads of draws to choose from, running all day and night across the globe. As well as the local Lotto and Powerball, you can bet on big international lotteries from within South Africa.
These are the most popular:
Lottery | Draw Days | Draw Times (SA Time) |
---|---|---|
🇬🇧 UK49s | Every day | Lunchtime – 14:49Teatime – 19:49 |
🇷🇺 Russia Gosloto | Every day | Every 30 minutes from 10:00 to 22:00 |
🇿🇦 SA Lotto | Wednesdays & Saturdays | 21:00 |
🇿🇦 SA Powerball | Tuesdays & Fridays | 21:00 |
🇮🇪 Irish Lotto | Wednesdays & Saturdays | Main Draw – 21:00Lotto+1 & Lotto+2 – Immediately after |
🇪🇺 EuroMillions | Tuesdays & Fridays | Around 22:00 |
🇺 🇸 MegaMillions | Wednesdays & Saturdays | Around 05:00 (early morning) |
🇬🇧UK49s (Lunchtime & Teatime)
The UK49s is one of South Africa’s favourite Lucky Numbers draws. There are two draws every day, Lunchtime and Teatime, and the odds are some of the best around. You can bet on how many numbers will be drawn, add the bonus ball for extra odds, or play both daily draws.
🇷🇺Russia Gosloto
Gosloto is famous for its quick turnaround. There are multiple draws every single day, which means plenty of chances to play. The most popular ones are the 6/45 and 7/49 formats.
🇿🇦SA Lotto & SA Powerball
If you want to keep it local and bet on lotto numbers in SA, the Powerball and Lotto are the most trusted and familiar draws. When you bet on them through a Lucky Numbers site, you’re predicting the outcome of the official national lotteries, but getting fixed-odds payouts instead of shared jackpots.
🇮🇪Irish Lotto
The Irish Lotto is known for its simple 6-number format and great odds. Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday. Many betting sites also offer Irish Lotto+1 and Irish Lotto+2, which are bonus draws for extra chances to win.
🇪🇺EuroMillions
The EuroMillions is one of Europe’s biggest lotteries, and with Lucky Numbers betting, you can wager on it without needing a ticket from overseas. You can bet on the main draw numbers, the bonus ball, or special outcomes like Odd/Even totals.
🇺🇸 MegaMillions
Known for its record-breaking jackpots, the US MegaMillions gives South Africans a taste of American-style lottery excitement, but through fixed-odds betting.
Pros and Cons of Betting on Lucky Numbers
- Bet on international lotteries from SA
- Dozens of draws daily — play anytime, day or night.
- No limit on how many times you can win
- Don’t share winnings with other players
- Fixed odds no matter who else is betting
- Instant lotto payouts into your account
- No massive pooled jackpots.
- Lose your full stake if your numbers miss.
- Easy to overplay — set a clear budget.
How to Place a Lucky Numbers Bet
Choose a betting site with Lucky Numbers. We’ve listed the best sites above.
Log in to your account.
Click on the ‘Lucky Numbers’ tab. You should see it in the menu on most sites.
Choose which lotto you want to bet on — local or international. Pick a draw.
Choose your market type.
Standard (no bonus ball): bet that 1, 2, 3, or more specific balls will be drawn.
Draw Sum: bet on totals (Odd/Even, Over/Under a number like 92.5).
Choose your numbers. Just like the lotto, you can pick your favourite digits (birthdays, anniversaries, or random lucky numbers).
Set your stake (how much money you want to bet) and the number of draws if you want more than one.
Review your betslip to check odds, stake, and possible winnings.
Click “Bet Now.” Your bet is placed.
After the official draw is confirmed, check the results. If your numbers match the drawn numbers, you win! Winnings are paid straight into your betting account.
Popular Lucky Number Bet Types and Odds
Every Lucky Numbers game offers a mix of bet types, each with its own odds and payouts. Some are straightforward, like betting on one number, while others get more creative. All give you control over how you play and how much you can win.
Here are the most common bet types you’ll see on South African sites:
Single number bet
You’re betting that one specific number will or won’t be drawn. It’s the simplest and quickest way to play, making it perfect for beginners or casual players. Because it’s a straightforward bet, the odds are usually high (often around 10/1), which means even a small stake can pay out big.
Example: Bet R10 on number 13 at 10/1 odds → win R100 if it’s drawn.
Multiple number match (2-ball, 3-ball, etc.)
You’re betting that two or more exact numbers will be drawn. It’s harder to hit, but the payouts climb fast. A 2-ball bet might pay 150/1, while a 3-ball bet can reach 1,500/1 or more.
Example: Bet R10 on numbers 5 and 20 → win R1,500 if both are drawn.
Bonus ball bet
Some lotteries include an extra bonus ball drawn after the main numbers. Turning the bonus ball on gives you more ways to win, but it also changes the odds. In some lotteries (like Australia’s Tattslotto), only the first bonus ball counts, so always check before you bet.
Side bets (Odd/Even, High/Low, Colour)
Instead of choosing exact numbers, you can bet on patterns, like whether the drawn balls will be odd or even, high or low, or a certain colour (common in UK49s). These bets usually have smaller payouts but higher chances of winning, making them fun and easy for casual players.
Example: Bet R10 on “Odd Total” at 1.8 odds → if the sum of the drawn numbers is odd, you win R18.
Totals and ranges
Here, you’re betting on the sum of all the drawn numbers, or whether that total will be over or under a set value. It’s a smart, strategy-based option if you prefer predicting overall results instead of exact numbers.
Example: If the draw’s total is 96 and you bet R10 on “Over 92.5” at 1.9 odds → you win R19.
Number of balls bet
You’re betting on how many total balls will be drawn that match certain conditions, like how many will be even, odd, or below 25.
Example: Bet R10 that at least 3 of the 6 drawn numbers will be even → win if that happens.
Divisible number bets
You can predict whether drawn numbers will be divisible by a certain number, like 2, 3, or 5. It’s a quick math-style bet that’s simple but fun.
Example: Bet R10 that one of the numbers will be divisible by 5 → win if 10, 15, or 20 is drawn.
Payouts and odds explained
Lucky Numbers betting runs on fixed odds, meaning your payout is set when you place your bet. There are no shared jackpots. The odds depend on how many numbers you choose and how many match in the draw.
Fewer numbers mean easier wins but smaller payouts, while more numbers mean tougher odds but much higher rewards.
For example:
Bet R10 on 1 number at 10/1 odds → win R100
Bet R10 on 3 numbers at 1,500/1 odds → win R15,000 if all hit
Your stake (the amount you bet) multiplies your payout, so a bigger stake means a bigger potential win, but also higher risk if your numbers don’t land.
Most South African sites let you bet from as little as R1–R5, with maximum Lucky Numbers payouts typically capped between R1 million and R5 million, depending on the bookmaker.
In short, you control both your risk and your reward. The more you stake and the more numbers you match, the bigger your payday.
Top strategies for picking lucky numbers
Everyone has their own theory about what makes a number lucky, and for many South Africans, picking them is half the fun. While there’s no guaranteed way to win, there are a few strategies for you to try.
🎂Personal numbers: Use numbers that mean something to you, like birthdays, anniversaries, or other special dates. It adds a personal touch and makes every bet feel like it’s your lucky moment.
🌙Dream numbers: Pay attention to your dreams. Certain symbols or people that show up might be pointing you toward specific numbers. You can even look up dream-to-number charts if you want to see what your subconscious might be hinting at.
🔥❄️Hot and cold numbers: “Hot” numbers are drawn most often, while “cold” ones haven’t appeared in a while. Some players bet on the hot streaks; others chase the cold ones, thinking they’re due. Many sites even show these stats to help guide your picks.
In the end, trust your gut. Whether your lucky numbers come from a dream, a date, or just a feeling, it’s all about having fun and enjoying the thrill of the draw.
Is it legal to bet on Lucky Numbers in South Africa?
Yes, betting on Lucky Numbers is 100% legal in South Africa, as long as you play through a licensed operator. The country’s gambling industry is regulated by provincial gambling boards, which make sure sites follow strict rules for fairness, transparency, and player protection.
When you’re choosing where to play, always look for sites that display their South African bookmaker licence number. For example, Betway is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, while Easybet is regulated by the Eastern Cape Gambling Board.
Playing on unlicensed sites can put your money at risk, and winnings might not be guaranteed, so it’s worth sticking to trusted, verified brands which we’ve listed on this page.
You also need to be over 18 years old to gamble in South Africa. Licensed sites are required to verify your identity (known as FICA verification) before you can withdraw your winnings. It’s a simple process that keeps everything safe and above board.
Tips for betting responsibly
Betting on Lucky Numbers should be fun and exciting, not a source of stress. Stay in control with a few simple habits:
Set a budget and stick to it. Decide what you can afford to spend before you start, and treat it like entertainment, not income.
Understand the odds. Knowing what you stand to win (and lose) helps you make smarter, more confident bets.
Start small. Use minimum wagers to explore different draws or number combos until you get comfortable.
Don’t chase losses. Everyone has off days. When luck’s not on your side, take a break and come back fresh.
Keep it fun. Lucky Numbers should always feel like a game, not a gamble.
FAQs
Can I win real money betting on Lucky Numbers?
Yes! Lucky Numbers betting offers real-money payouts based on fixed odds. If your numbers match the draw results, you’ll win cash directly into your betting account. There’s no sharing your winnings and no waiting.
Is it better to play the lottery or bet on it?
That depends on what you prefer. The official lottery gives you a chance at huge shared jackpots, but Lucky Numbers betting offers fixed odds, faster results, and instant payouts. You also keep all your winnings to yourself.
Where are the best odds for betting on Lucky Numbers?
Top South African sites like YesPlay, Hollywoodbets, Betway, and Easybet offer some of the most competitive Lucky Numbers odds. YesPlay generally has slightly higher payouts on multi-ball bets, while Hollywoodbets and Betway closely match those ranges. Odds can vary by draw and bet type, so it’s always smart to compare before placing your bet.
What is the maximum payout?
Most local betting sites cap Lucky Numbers payouts between R1 million and R5 million, depending on the bookmaker and the draw you’re betting on.
What is the most popular Lucky Numbers bet in South Africa?
The UK49s Lunchtime and Teatime draws are the most popular among South African players. The 1-ball and 2-ball bets are also favourites because they’re simple, quick, and offer solid returns.
Are there mobile apps for betting on Lucky Numbers?
Yes. Major betting sites like Betway, Easybet, and Hollywoodbets have custom betting apps or mobile-friendly websites. You can place bets, check results, and withdraw winnings straight from your phone.
Do I win the official lottery jackpot if my numbers match?
No. Lucky Numbers betting is completely separate from the official lottery. You’re betting on the outcome of the draw, not entering it. Your winnings come from the bookmaker based on the odds you selected, not from the lottery’s prize pool.
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Katlego Modise is a South African sports enthusiast turned sports betting writer. With years of experience analysing teams, studying trends, and placing strategic wagers on sports like soccer, cricket, and rugby, he's earned a trusted reputation in the industry. He’s no stranger to the world of gambling, adding Lotto and Powerball aficionado to his repertoire. When not writing or betting, Katlego enjoys travelling and mentoring young athletes at a local sports academy.
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