Seamless transition, major jackpots and new ways to play mark an eventful first chapter
Sizekhaya Holdings has marked its first 100 days as the operator of the South African National Lottery, including the successful transition of operations, more than R1-billion won in major jackpots and the introduction of new ways for South Africans to play their own National Lottery.
Sizekhaya assumed responsibility for operating the National Lottery and Sports Pools on 1 June 2026. The transition was completed without interrupting the regular draw schedule or people’s ability to buy tickets and claim prizes.
Within three days, Sizekhaya had created its first PowerBall multimillionaire when a KwaZulu-Natal player won approximately R128-million.
That was followed by several significant wins during June, July and August. Among them were three PowerBall Plus winners who each received more than R45.7-million; a R69 million LOTTO winner from Gauteng; a R20-million LOTTO winner and, most recently, a Soweto player who won R93.5-million in the PowerBall draw.
In the first three months of its tenure as manager of the National Lottery, Sizekhaya Holdings created 12 112 325 winners across all divisions of PowerBall, PowerBall Xtra, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto 5 Max. Between them, they won a combined value over R1 billion R1 074 688 314
Sizekhaya COO, Fundi Sithebe, says the first 100 days had demonstrated both the scale of the responsibility entrusted to Sizekhaya and the enduring place of the National Lottery in South African life.
“Taking responsibility for an operation of this size and national significance requires enormous preparation, strong partnerships and absolute focus from the team. We are proud to have delivered a smooth transition and a reliable National Lottery service from day one,” she says.
Sizekhaya has hit the ground running, delivering a seamless transition, zero lost draws and an uninterrupted National Lottery experience, while continuing to contribute to the National Lotteries Distribution Fund. A new era, without missing a beat.
“But the best measure of these first 100 days is the number of South Africans whose lives have changed through winning. We are delighted to have created so many new millionaires and to have paid prizes ranging from everyday wins to truly life-changing jackpots.”
The period also showcased Sizekhaya’s innovation across the National Lottery, from the return of live draws and the introduction of cascading jackpots to improved jackpot odds and enhanced accessibility. This was supported by full retailer readiness, including the return of Scratch Cards and USSD play, marking a new era of convenience and winning possibilities for players.
National Lottery access has never been wider, with 6,505 active terminals across all nine provinces, availability across major banking platforms, and a new partnership with the South African Post Office enabling ticket purchases and qualifying prize claims at 60 branches — bringing the National Lottery closer to more communities than ever before.
Sizekhaya also restored live televised lottery draws, bringing the draw experience back into South African homes and allowing players to share in the moment as winning numbers are selected.
In addition, the company completed the verification and reconciliation of historic prize-administration records transferred during the change of operator. This enabled people holding winning tickets purchased before 1 Juneto resume submitting claims through the applicable National Lottery processes.
Sithebe said Sizekhaya would build on the operational foundation established during its first 100 days.
“The National Lottery is a national asset and managing it on behalf of the people of South Africa is both a privilege and a profound responsibility,” she said.
“We began this journey with the ambition to create more winners, more often, while protecting the integrity of every game and making the National Lottery more accessible and engaging. These first 100 days are only the beginning. We look forward to the remainder of our tenure with confidence, energy and, yes, considerable anticipation.”
Sizekhaya will continue introducing new products, partnerships and improvements designed to broaden access, strengthen the player experience and ensure that the National Lottery remains relevant to South Africans across the country.
