How to Claim Lottery Winnings
When you win a lottery prize, claiming the money is straightforward. However, the process does vary depending on how much you have won and how you played - in a store, online or via an app. Look through this guide to learn what you need to do if you're a winner.
Regardless of the prize amount, the deadline for claiming is 365 days from the date of the draw when you won. If you don't come forward within this year-long time period, you'll miss out on your money.
Claiming Online Lottery Prizes
One of the main advantages of playing online is how easy it makes it to claim prizes. There's no paper ticket to keep safe or check after a draw. Instead, there's a secure digital record of the numbers you played and they will be checked for you.
You'll be notified if you win a prize and the vast majority of prizes are paid straight into our account without you having to do anything. Here's how online prizes work if you have a National Lottery account.
Prizes up to R49,999.00: If you win any amount that is lower than R50,000, your prize will be transferred straight into your online account. There's no need to stake a claim, so all you need to do is log in to your account to access the funds.
Prizes of R50,000 or more: You'll still be notified if you win so there’s no chance of missing out, but you must complete an official claim form so that your entry can be validated. You'll then need to visit one of the National Lottery's regional offices in person.
Claiming Prizes if You Played In-Store
It's still simple to claim lottery winnings if you have played in-store, but you need to make sure that you keep your paper ticket safe after you bought it as you'll need it to receive your prize. It's a good idea to sign it to make sure you are the only person who can make a claim. Go to the Lost and Damaged Tickets page to find out what to do if you can't find your entry or it is no longer intact.
As long as your entry is safely in your possession, the method for claiming it depends on how much you have won.
Prizes up to R2,000: You just need to take your winning ticket to a store within the claim period. All retailers have to pay out prizes up to R50 in cash, while they can also give out awards up to R5,000 at their own discretion. Find your nearest retailer now if you have a prize to claim.
Prizes between R2,001 and R49,999.99: For prizes of this value, you'll need to fill out a claim form, provide proof of identity and go to an authorised payment centre. You can ask any retailer for the address of your nearest payment centre.
Prizes of R50,000 or more: To receive a prize of this magnitude, you'll have to go to one of the regional offices. Complete a claim form and provide proof of identity.
Locations of Regional Offices
The table below shows the addresses of the National Lottery's regional offices, where you can claim prizes of R50,000 and above.
| State | Address | Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cape | 164 Cape Road, Mill Park, Port Elizabeth | +27 41 397 4900 |
| Free State | Shop number 38, 139 Cnr East Burger & Charlotte Maxeke Streets, Bloemfontein Plaza | +27 51 410 1060 |
| Gauteng | 14A Charles Crescent, Eastgate Ext. 4, Sandton | +27 11 346 6000 |
| KZN | First Floor, 85 Richefond Circle, Umhlanga Ridgeside | +27 31 536 6960 |
| Limpopo | 14 Schoeman Street, Polokwane | +27 15 294 9480 |
| Mpumalanga | 99 Jacaranda Street, West Acres, Nelspruit | +27 13 741 6500 |
| North West | 53 Von Wielligh St, Rustenburg, 2999 | +27 14 597 8900 |
| Western Cape | 200 Main Road, Claremont, Cape Town | +27 21 672 6760 |
Claiming Prizes by Post
You can also claim prizes by post, although you should make sure you use a secure service and keep a photocopy of the winning ticket. You should mail your signed winning ticket, along with your name and identity number, to the following address:
14A Charles Crescent
Eastgate Ext. 4
2031 Sandton
How to Claim Lottery winnings on Your App
If you play games through an app, it is easy to claim in the same way as it is when you take part online. Your numbers are stored safely, whether you have used a lottery app or played through a banking app such as FNB, Standard Bank or Nedbank. Prizes of up to R49,999 are paid straight into your account, while for larger prizes you must still complete an official claim form and visit one of the regional offices.
Publicity or Anonymity
If you win a major prize such as a jackpot, one of the first decisions you will have to make is whether to go public or stay anonymous. This is entirely your decision, and no details about your identity will be disclosed without your written consent. The vast majority of big South African winners decide to stay private, although many are happy for some information to be revealed – including their job, home town and plans for the future.
Lottery operator Ithuba provides support to winners whether they opt for publicity or anonymity. This includes emotional counselling as well as financial advice. This support system will remain in place for as long as winners wish for it to continue.
