R155 Million PowerBall & PowerBall Plus Jackpot: A Nation Holds Its Breath
South Africa’s PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpots have soared to a combined R155 million for the draw on Friday, 20 March. This massive prize pool – R107 million for PowerBall and R48 million for PowerBall Plus – is fueling excitement across the country, with ITHUBA, the national lottery operator, urging players to secure their tickets early.
The Growing Trend of Rollover Jackpots
This substantial jackpot is the result of fifteen consecutive rollovers, adding R10 million to the prize pool. The largest PowerBall payout to date remains R232,131,750.69, won in February 2019, demonstrating the life-altering potential of the game.
How to Play: A Quick Guide
Participating in the PowerBall draw is straightforward. Players select five numbers from 1 to 50, and one PowerBall number from 1 to 20. A standard board costs R5.00. PowerBall Plus offers a second chance to win using the same numbers for an additional R2.50 per board.
Beyond the Jackpot: Supporting Communities
The National Lottery isn’t just about individual wins. Proceeds from ticket sales contribute to the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, which supports vital social and community initiatives throughout South Africa. This means that even if you don’t win, your participation contributes to positive change.
Where to Buy Your Ticket
Tickets are readily available through multiple channels: participating retailers nationwide, the official National Lottery SA App, the National Lottery South Africa website, and major banks including FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec Bank, TymeBank and African Bank. You can as well dial USSD code 1207529# to play. Remember, retail sales close at 20:30 on the draw day, and you must be 18 or older to participate.
What Happens When You Win?
Winning R50,000 or more triggers access to free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and free financial advice from accredited advisors. Importantly, all lottery winnings in South Africa are tax-free and paid directly into the winner’s bank account.
The Weekly Lottery Schedule
Here’s a breakdown of the weekly draw schedule:
- Monday: Daily Lotto & Daily Lotto Plus
- Tuesday: Daily Lotto & Daily Lotto Plus, PowerBall & PowerBall Plus
- Wednesday: Daily Lotto & Daily Lotto Plus, Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 & Lotto Plus 2
- Thursday: Daily Lotto & Daily Lotto Plus
- Friday: Daily Lotto & Daily Lotto Plus, PowerBall & PowerBall Plus
- Saturday: Daily Lotto & Daily Lotto Plus, Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 & Lotto Plus 2
- Sunday: Daily Lotto & Daily Lotto Plus
Always verify results through the official National Lottery platforms for accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the minimum age to play the PowerBall?
A: You must be 18 years or older.
Q: How much does a PowerBall ticket cost?
A: A standard PowerBall board costs R5.00.
Q: What is PowerBall Plus?
A: PowerBall Plus is an additional draw using the same numbers as the main PowerBall draw, offering another chance to win for an extra R2.50 per board.
Q: Where can I uncover previous PowerBall results?
A: You can view past PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results here.
Q: Are lottery winnings taxable in South Africa?
A: No, all lottery winnings in South Africa are tax-free.
