In light of the 21-day lockdown that is underway, the National Lottery Operator, ITHUBA has implemented effective measures in compliance with the Government’s interventions to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The health and safety of our players is of paramount importance to us. This is why we firmly urge all players to utilise our digital platforms to play their favourite National Lottery games. Our Mobile App is easily downloadable on all smartphones, and available on both the Play Store (android) and Apple Store (IOS). Players can also make use our up-to-date National Lottery website, and the digital channels of our banking partners namely Absa, FNB, Standard Bank and Nedbank.

As a technology driven company operating in a highly regulated industry, ITHUBA has always ensured that our state-of-the-art systems are solid, secure and crisis-management-ready. This includes equipping our staff to be able to work remotely and continue serving the nation, even during the lock-down period.

Our Call Centre is ready to assist first-time players in navigating the online realm with ease. Our Player Helpline remains operational and players can direct queries to 0800 484 822, Monday – Saturday from 06:00 – 23:00 and Sunday 06:00 – 21:00.

The COVID-19 virus will have a devastating impact in our communities. We encourage all South Africans to play their role by staying at home in order to curb the spread of the virus. We are in this together.

QUESTION: Can I still play National Lottery games during the COVID-19 lockdown period?

ANSWER:

Yes. National Lottery games will be available to play except for SPORTSTAKE as there are no fixtures due to games being cancelled. We encourage all of our players to make use of our digital platforms to play their favourite National Lottery games. Our Mobile App is easily downloadable on all smartphones. Players can also make use our up-to-date National Lottery website, and on-line platforms of our bank channel partners namely Absa, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank.

QUESTION: Can I collect my winnings from your offices during this lockdown period?

ANSWER:

In line with the nationwide lockdown, unfortunately no winners will be able to claim their winnings at any of our regional offices or at the ITHUBA Head office.  Please remember, all winning tickets have a life-span of 365 days before they expire so keep your tickets safe until you can claim.

Winnings are deposited directly into your on-line account up to R50,000 when you play on the National Lottery website, National lottery Mobile APP.

QUESTION: Can I still validate and claim my winnings at Lottery retailers during the lock down?

ANSWER:

In line with the nationwide lockdown request to remain at home, we advise that you retain your ticket, write your name and ID number at the back and claim it once the lockdown is over.

QUESTION: Will there still be draws for LOTTO, Powerball and DAILY LOTTO during the lockdown?

ANSWER:

Yes Draws will continue and will not be affected during lockdown. LOTTO and Powerball draws will continue to be televised as per norm – LOTTO on Wednesdays and Saturdays on SABC 2 at 20:57; and Powerball on Tuesdays and Fridays on eTV at 21:00. All Draw results are also available on the National Lottery website, National Lottery Mobile App and our social media pages. The integrity of our draws is of outmost importance, therefore, all draws will continue to be independently audited with oversight from our regulator the NLC.

QUESTION: If I play on-line, will I still receive my winnings?

ANSWER:

All on-line winning tickets below R50,000 will be paid as usual, directly into the player’s on-line wallet or bank account if playing via the website, National Lottery APP or banking channels. Claims above R50,000 will have to be postponed until after the lockdown period is over. Winners are encouraged to keep their tickets safe until you can visit an ITHUBA office to claim after the lockdown period.

QUESTION: Will the call centre be available to help customers and retailers during the lockdown?

ANSWER:

Yes our call centre is operating remotely from home. You can contact our Player Helpline on 0800 484 822, Monday – Saturday from 06:00 – 23:00 and Sunday 06:00 – 21:00 for queries or visit our social media pages. The Retailer Helpline will also be operational and retailers can direct queries to 0860 456 886, Monday – Saturday from 06:00 – 23:00 and Sunday 06:00 – 21:00

QUESTION: Will jackpots be affected during the lockdown period?

ANSWER:

The schedule and rules of the games will remain unaffected. Jackpots will continue to roll over until they are won except for DAILY LOTTO jackpots which will roll down if not won.

QUESTION: How is ITHUBA helping South Africans to fight COVID-19?

ANSWER:

ITHUBA is working closely its Regulator, the National Lotteries Commission, and the Department of Health in exploring how ITHUBA can support the well-being and sustainability of South Africans. As a company that values UBUNTU and the upliftment of communities, society’s most vulnerable remains a priority to ITHUBA. Communication on ITHUBA’s activities in this regard will be communicated in due course. 

The Corona Virus COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly shook global village. World leaders are making efforts to navigate and mitigate as much as possible, the effects of the virus outbreak. While that work is underway, as business and certainly as ITHUBA, the National Lottery Operator; we are very much aware that COVID-19 virus is a fast-moving concern with global economic and socio-political ramifications. The impact of the outbreak has had devastating effects on the global economy, communities and the most vulnerable in society.

We are very concerned about these sectors of the economy and their exposure to COVID-19, especially now as situation seems to worsen in South Africa and globally.

PROTECTING OUR EMPLOYEES

With regards to our employees and in the interest of their safety and well-being, ITHUBA has followed the precautionary hygiene guidelines as determined by the World Health Organisation, National Government including the Department of Health as well as other globally recognized health fraternities.

Pursuant to the calls for social distancing by President Cyril Ramaphosa, we have:

• Placed a travel ban on all international and domestic travel for our employees;
• Implemented a remote work-from-home policy for all employees where possible; and
• Equipped all ITHUBA offices with hand sanitizers

BUSINESS CONTINUITY

While we are mindful of the potential impact of COVID-19 on our business, particularly the supply chain, we continue to monitor developments and are creating contingency plans to mitigate the impact. Having assessed the impact on our supply chain, and assuming current conditions do not worsen, we do not currently anticipate a material impact on our operations. We are continually monitoring the situation and managing the impact on key critical projects. Our risk management team which consider employees, financial stress testing, supply chain, sales and regulatory compliance meets regularly to decisively and timeously make decisions in the context of COVID-19 to ensure business continuity and to manage the short, medium and long-term commercial impact on the business.

Keeping with the theme of social distancing, we have limited interactions as much as possible with the our suppliers to virtual meetings and continue to observe precautionary measures such as sanitizing for face-to-face interactions.

PRIORITISING OUR PLAYERS

It is important for our players to note that we remain committed to continue providing them with the lottery products that they have become accustomed to, with no disruptions to the schedule. The aforementioned precautionary measures, especially as it pertains to social distancing will be implemented to safeguard the wellbeing of staff, players and partners. For now, the National Lottery will continue to meet the needs of our players and retailers; ensuring that business operations remain stable.

We are fortunate that our products are available on online and digital platforms, such as on the SA National Lottery mobile APP and on the National Lottery website. Our channel partners namely Absa, FNB, Standard Bank and Nedbank also offer players the convenience of playing anywhere, anytime – 24/7.  While the platforms offer convenience, now more than ever we urge players to use these digital and online platforms and play their part to stop the spread of the virus.

We are however mindful that we still serve lottery playing communities who are still not included in the digital economy. Their safety from transmission is also a priority, which is the reason we have installed fixed and mobile hand sanitizers for their safety and well-being when visiting our offices.

Winners and players alike are encouraged to contact our call centre for any enquiries on 0800 484 822, Monday – Saturday from 06:00 – 23:00 and Sunday 06:00 – 21:00

RETAILERS

Some retailer operational hours may have changed. As retailers are paramount to the operations of the National Lottery, our Sales and Field staff have been deployed and will ensure that all retailers are well equipped to assist players. Our Retailer Helpline remains operational and retailers can direct queries to our Call Centre on 0860 456 886, Monday – Saturday from 06:00 – 23:00 and Sunday 6:00 – 21:00

UBUNTU

This is not the time to panic. We are a nation that has shown tremendous courage and resilience. Together we can overcome this pandemic, only if we stand together, get informed and do the right thing.  Let us live out Ubuntu. Let’s protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.

The South African National Lottery Operator, ITHUBA, is excited to announce that over R2.5 Billion has been won across all the games, this year alone - another record breaking achievement by the third National Lottery Operator who took over lottery operations in 2015.

“We congratulate all the winners who have come forward to claim their winnings. As ITHUBA, we set out to change the lives of ordinary South Africans since taking over National Lottery operations and this momentous pay out is testament that we are positively contributing to the betterment of South Africans” says Khensani Mabuza, Corporate Relations Executive at ITHUBA.

The biggest jackpot ever to be paid in the history of the lottery in South Africa, and Africa at large, was the R232 Million PowerBall Jackpot that was won by a blue collar worker from Cape Town after 24 rollovers.

Other notable big jackpots came from PowerBall and PowerBall PLUS games, with a R141 Million win on 23^rd August 2019 and R70 Million on 3^rd September 2019, respectively, both these players have come forward to claim their winnings.

ITHUBA’s DAILY LOTTO game, is making significant contributions towards sales and produces winners daily. Since its launch in March 2019, DAILY LOTTO has paid out R 224,665,218.51 and that number continues to grow. Staying true to our promise of innovation and introducing unique Lottery games, ITHUBA has launched its second and newest game under their sports gaming portfolio, SPORTSTAKE 8 which has already paid out R1, 744,210.20. SPORTSTAKE 13 has paid over R89, 103,342.20 in winnings.

“When we were awarded the National Lottery license we promised to reinvigorate the National Lottery by optimising the player and winner experience. We have done this by offering life changing jackpots, introduced an exciting game portfolio and increased lottery access channels making it more convenient to play lottery games than ever before. Players can now use our National Lottery website, our mobile app and any of the four major banks to play the Lottery, this is over and above the Retail network” says Mabuza.