Tonight’s draw could bring extra festive cheer, with millions added to lucky winners’ accounts.
As the festive season reaches its peak, South Africa’s National Lottery is offering a massive windfall. Tonight’s PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws feature a combined guaranteed jackpot of R110 million, a life-changing sum that has captured the nation’s attention. This guide provides not just the essential details, but crucial context and strategic insights for both new and seasoned players.
The Stakes: Breaking Down the R110 Million Prize Pool
The headline figure is split across the two main draws, each with distinct prize tiers and odds:
PowerBall and PowerBall Plus estimated jackpots:
- PowerBall Jackpot: R103 million – This is the premier prize, won by matching all five main numbers plus the PowerBall. The odds of hitting this are approximately 1 in 42 million, but the rollover mechanism means the prize grows until it’s won.
- PowerBall Plus Jackpot: R7 million – A separate draw using the same numbers from the main PowerBall draw, but with its own, often more attainable, jackpot prize pool. It offers a second chance at a multi-million-rand win from the same ticket.
Key Insight: While the jackpot grabs headlines, remember that PowerBall has eight other prize tiers. Matching just the PowerBall number wins a small prize, making every ticket a potential winner.
How to play PowerBall?
How to Play PowerBall: Beyond the Basics
To play, select five numbers from 1 to 50 and one PowerBall number from 1 to 20. While the Quick Pick (random selection) is popular and statistically neutral, some players prefer choosing their own numbers.
Strategic Consideration: There is no mathematical advantage to self-selected numbers versus Quick Pick. However, if you choose your own numbers (like birthdays), be aware that this limits your selection to 31 and creates a higher chance of sharing the jackpot with others who use similar dates. A mix of high and low numbers, and odd and even, is a common, though not luck-guaranteeing, strategy.
Critical Timelines and Purchase Channels
Draw Time: The draw takes place just after 9:00 PM on Tuesday, 23 December.
Cut-off Time: Tickets sales close at 8:30 PM on draw days (Tuesdays and Fridays). This is a hard deadline—any attempt after this will be rejected.
Non-Draw Day Purchases: You can buy tickets for future draws on other days (Monday, Wednesday, etc.) from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM.
Where to Play: Tickets are available at physical lottery retailers and, crucially, through selected banking apps. Playing via your bank app links your ticket directly to your profile, simplifying claims for smaller prizes and providing a digital record.
Don’t Forget the Daily Lotto
While waiting for the PowerBall draw, the National Lottery offers a daily opportunity. The Daily Lotto draw happens every night just after 9:30 PM, with tickets costing only R3 per entry.
How to play Daily Lotto in SA? If you are buying a ticket in-store:
How to Play Daily Lotto:
- Obtain a bet slip from any lottery outlet.
- Choose five numbers from 1 to 36, or opt for Quick Pick.
- Entries are R3 each. You can play up to R150 per slip across multiple boards.
- You can enter up to 10 consecutive draws in advance—a convenient option for regular players.
- Pay the teller to receive your official ticket.
- VITAL STEP: Immediately write your name and ID number on the back of your ticket. An unsigned ticket is a bearer instrument; if lost, anyone can claim the prize.
ALSO READ: Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results: Monday, 22 December 2025
What happens after winning?
The Claiming Process: What Happens If You Win?
Understanding the claims process is as important as buying the ticket.
- The Notification: Winners receive an official SMS from their bank (if played via app) or must check results publicly. The SMS will contain a reference number and instructions.
- Prizes Under R250,000: If you played via a banking app, prizes are typically deposited directly into your linked account—a seamless process.
- Prizes Over R250,000: All major winners must claim directly from Ithuba, the lottery operator. You will need your winning ticket, valid ID, and the claim form.
- Essential Support: A significant benefit for large winners is the provision of free, confidential financial and trauma counselling for prizes over R50,000. This service is crucial for managing sudden wealth and the life changes it brings.
- Tax Status: All lottery winnings in South Africa are tax-free.
Final Reminder: Participation is strictly for those 18 years and older. Always play responsibly, only spending what you can afford to lose. Treat the lottery as a form of entertainment with a remote chance of a reward, not as a financial strategy.
Good luck to all participants in tonight’s monumental R110 million draw!