Sizekhaya lottery now LIVE: Here’s what’s NEW

Hey lotto fans, the new Sizekhaya lottery is officially live, as of yesterday, Monday 1 June 2026. Before we get into everything that’s changed, let’s give you some-all important information on tonight’s first big draw. Jackpots currently sit at R130 million for PowerBall, and R110 million for PowerBall Xtra – so R240 million in total! Draws remain on Tuesdays and Fridays each week.

The Sizekhaya lottery has an eight-year licence agreement signed with the state-owned National Lotteries Commission (NLC). Reports place the value of the tender at approximately R180 billion. This makes it probably the most lucrative government contract in South African history …

SIZEKHAYA LOTTERY

However, the real question on everyone’s lips is what’s changed with the new Sizekhaya lottery? Firstly, PowerBall Plus is now be called PowerBall Xtra. And the PowerBall draw will operate under a new ‘cascading jackpot’ system.

And, if you typically play the lotto through a banking app, you may have already received an update on some of the new game mechanics:

• The number of balls for Lotto changes from 58 to 52, in theory, making it easier to win.
• Likewise, PowerBall numbers drop from a maximum of 20 to 16, once again, improving your odds.
• Unfortunately, under the new Sizekhaya lottery, the biggest shift everyone is talking about is the cost. PowerBall tickets now cost R10, with PowerBall Xtra costing R5, while Lotto tickets move to R5.

NEW RULES AND MECHANICS

Pay attention, because this is where the new Sizekhaya lottery is different to the decade-old ITHUBA:

• Under the new rules, PowerBall is played by selecting 5 numbers from 1 to 50, plus one additional number from 1 to 16, as mentioned. For more, you play PowerBall Xtra.
• Lotto now consists of 6 numbers from 1 to 52, also at R10 per entry, with an additional Lotto Plus 1. And the previous Lotto Plus 2 known as the new ‘5 Max‘ – adding R2.50 extra.
• Currently, this game sits at R33 million in total winnings, with draws still on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Daily Lotto remains unchanged in format, at a new price of R3 per play.
• For others, there’s a new ‘Matchplay’ format that replaces the old Sports Pools. Essentially, players choose a result for a match (team 1 win, team 2 win, or draw) at R2 per board, with a multiply option available.

NEW SIZEKHAYA LOTTERY CASCADING JACKPOT

However, the feature the Sizekhaya lottery is most vocal about is its new ‘cascading jackpot’ mechanism. So, what is it exactly? Well, the new operator now guarantees that jackpots will be won at least once a month.

If there is no top-division winner, the amount cascades down to prize tiers 1 through 3. Then, if there are no winners in the first division, the same jackpot amount moves to the second. Finally, If there are no second-division winners either, the prize shifts to lower divisions. Rather than being rolled over to the next draw date endlessly, this directly addresses what it calls ‘jackpot fatigue.’

LIVE DRAWS ARE BACK FROM TONIGHT

Also, the Sizekhaya brings back live televised draws, premiering tonight, Tuesday 2 June 2026, for the first PowerBall and PowerBall Xtra draw. For South Africans who have been playing lotto for years, the message from Sizekhaya chairperson Moses Tembe is clear. “We are not only operating a business. We are acting as custodians of a national institution. Every ticket sold contributes to organisations, initiatives and people working every day to build a stronger South Africa.”