The National Lottery Ithuba said they were aware of “misleading and factually incorrect information currently circulating on social media regarding the legitimacy of winners. 

“We wish to assure all South Africans that the National Lottery operates under the highest levels of fairness, transparency, and accountability,” Ithuba said in a statement this week. 

“Every draw is conducted using certified systems, under strict oversight from independent auditors, and safeguarded through rigorous security protocols and surveillance.”

They said winners are “determined purely by chance,” adding that no one, including Ithub, can predict or influence the outcome. 

In addition, all winner records are kept for necessary auditing purposes.

“It has been suggested that all big winners since 2020 have come only from Absa or FNB, and that Ithuba issued a statement that all 2022 Division 1 winners were from these banks.

“This is simply not true. Winners come from across the country, via both retail outlets and digital platforms.”

Providing a list of winners: 

– In 2020, a PowerBall Division 1 prize of over R114 million was won from a R5 ticket purchased at Victor and Sons Café, Roodepoort.

-In November 2021, a PowerBall PLUS Division 1 winner of R50 million came from a Caltex filling station in Groblersdal

-On 31 May 2024, a R70 million PowerBall Division 1 winning ticket was bought at Plus Benoni Mexican in Benoni.

– • On 17 November 2023, a Division 1 PowerBall winner came from a Boxer Super Store in Port Elizabeth.

-A Lotto Plus 1 winner in May 2023, who pocketed over R20 million, played via the Standard Bank app. 

– In May 2024, a Lotto jackpot of R16 million was won by a shop assistant from Limpopo via the Capitec banking app. 

-On 11 February 2022, a PowerBall Division 1 jackpot of over R167 million was won at Superspar Lifestyle Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal.

-On 11 March 2022, a PowerBall Division 1 prize of more than R55 million was won by a ticket purchased at a store in Mankweng, Polokwane, Limpopo.

– On 20 May 2022, the winning ticket of the PowerBall Division 1 prize of over R126 million was won at Superspar Florida Market in Johannesburg, Gauteng

Ithuba said it was important to note that FNB and Absa were the first banks to on board National Lottery games on their platforms.

“In fact, when Ithuba was awarded the license in 2015, FNB already offered National Lottery purchases on its banking platform.

“Statistically, it is expected that historically, more winners may have come from these banks compared to others that onboarded later.”

Ithuba said  60% of National Lottery ticket sales now come through banking platforms. 

They added that winners come from every corner of the country: from rural villages to large cities, through both retail and digital platforms.

“We celebrate their stories because they represent the very heart of why the Lottery exists, creating opportunities and changing lives.

“We encourage the public to rely on verified information from reliable sources, and to enjoy the Lottery with confidence, knowing that every ticket holds a fair and equal chance of winning.”

Since taking over the National Lottery in 2015, Ihuba said it has contributed more than R15.4 billion to the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) to support good causes. 

IOL News

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