Hold onto your hats, South Africa! Despite the upcoming Day of Reconciliation public holiday, ITHUBA, the mastermind behind the national lottery, has confirmed that the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws will go ahead as scheduled on Tuesday, December 16th. But here's where it gets exciting: the jackpot has skyrocketed to a mind-boggling R89 million after no one claimed the top prize on Friday, December 12th. That's right, someone could be waking up R89 million richer this week! And this is the part most people miss: even if you don't snag the main prize, the PowerBall Plus jackpot still offers a cool R3 million, a life-changing sum in its own right. Think about it – a chance at financial freedom, all for the price of a ticket.
Now, let's talk numbers. To play PowerBall, you choose five numbers from 1 to 50 and one PowerBall number from 1 to 20. Each entry costs a mere R5.00. PowerBall holds the record for South Africa's biggest lottery win – a staggering R232 million claimed in 2019! Want a second bite at the cherry? PowerBall Plus, introduced in 2015, lets you use the same numbers from your main PowerBall entry for an additional R2.50, giving you another shot at winning, though prizes are generally smaller.
Controversial question: Is it worth playing the lottery when the odds are so long? Some argue it's a tax on hope, while others see it as a fun way to dream big. What's your take?
Ready to try your luck? You can grab your tickets at participating retailers, online via the National Lottery website or mobile app, through your bank (FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, TymeBank, African Bank), or even using USSD by dialing 1207529#. Just remember, ticket sales close at 8:30 PM on draw days, and you need to be 18 or older to play.
And don't forget, if you win big (R50,000 or more), ITHUBA provides free trauma counseling and financial advice to help you navigate your newfound wealth. All winnings are tax-free and paid directly into your bank account.
Feeling lucky yet? Check out the full lottery schedule below to plan your week of potential wins:
- Monday: Daily Lotto
- Tuesday: Daily Lotto, PowerBall & PowerBall Plus
- Wednesday: Daily Lotto, Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 & Lotto Plus 2
- Thursday: Daily Lotto
- Friday: Daily Lotto, PowerBall & PowerBall Plus
- Saturday: Daily Lotto, Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 & Lotto Plus 2
- Sunday: Daily Lotto
Remember, always verify your numbers on the official National Lottery website for 100% accuracy. Good luck, South Africa – may the odds be ever in your favor!
