Sizekhaya Lottery Launches with Huge Jackpots, New Rules, and Live Draws

South Africa’s new Sizekhaya Lottery is officially up and running after launching on Monday, June 1, 2026. And it’s making a big entrance with some eye-catching jackpots right out of the gate.

💰 Massive Prizes Up for Grabs

Tonight’s first major draw offers:

• R130 million PowerBall jackpot
• R110 million PowerBall Xtra jackpot
• R240 million in combined prize money

PowerBall and PowerBall Xtra draws will continue to take place every Tuesday and Friday.

A Major New Chapter for the Lottery

Sizekhaya takes over under an eight-year licensing agreement with South Africa’s National Lotteries Commission (NLC). Reports estimate the contract could be worth around R180 billion, making it one of the largest government tenders ever awarded in the country.

But for everyday players, the biggest question is simple: What’s actually changing?

🎲 Better Odds for Players

Several game updates are designed to improve players’ chances of winning:

• Lotto numbers have been reduced from 58 to 52
• PowerBall numbers have dropped from 20 to 16
• These changes mean better odds compared to the previous system

PowerBall Plus has also been rebranded and is now known as PowerBall Xtra.

Ticket Prices Have Increased

One change getting plenty of attention is the higher ticket cost:

• PowerBall: R10 per play
• PowerBall Xtra: R5 extra
• Lotto: R5 per ticket
• Daily Lotto: R3 per play
• 5 Max add-on: R2.50 extra

While players will pay more, the lottery says the updated structure supports larger prize pools and improved game features.

How the New Games Work

Under the new format:

PowerBall

• Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 50
• Choose 1 PowerBall number from 1 to 16
• Add PowerBall Xtra for another chance to win

Lotto

• Select 6 numbers from 1 to 52
• Includes Lotto Plus 1
• Lotto Plus 2 has been replaced by the new 5 Max option

Current Lotto prizes total approximately R33 million, with draws remaining on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

⚡ The New Cascading Jackpot System

One of Sizekhaya’s biggest innovations is its new cascading jackpot feature.

Instead of jackpots rolling over indefinitely, the system is designed to ensure jackpots are won at least once every month.

Here’s how it works:

• If nobody wins the top prize, the jackpot moves down to lower prize divisions.
• If there are still no winners, the money continues cascading into additional prize tiers.
• This process keeps prize money flowing to players rather than endlessly accumulating.

The goal is to prevent what lottery officials call “jackpot fatigue,” where jackpots grow for long periods without producing winners.

📺 Live Lottery Draws Return

Another major change is the return of live televised lottery draws.

The first live PowerBall and PowerBall Xtra broadcast takes place tonight, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, bringing back a tradition many longtime lottery players have missed.

Sizekhaya Chairperson Moses Tembe says the company views the lottery as more than just a business. According to Tembe, every ticket purchased helps support organizations, community programs, and initiatives that contribute to building a stronger South Africa.

With larger jackpots, updated game mechanics, improved winning odds, and the return of live broadcasts, Sizekhaya is aiming to usher in a new era for South African lottery players.