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Lucky Numbers is one of the most popular bets in South Africa. Instead of buying a lottery ticket, you bet on which numbers will come out of a lottery draw somewhere in the world, at fixed odds set by the bookmaker. This guide explains how Lucky Numbers works, when the UK 49s draws take place in South African time, what the odds really pay compared with your true chance of winning, and where you can play at licensed SA bookmakers.
South Africa · 2026 guide
Lucky Numbers Betting Explained
How Lucky Numbers works, UK 49s draw times, real odds vs true odds, and where to play at licensed SA bookmakers.
18+ only · Terms apply · Responsible gambling helpline 0800 006 008
Key facts: Lucky Numbers bets are fixed-odds bets on international lottery draws, such as UK 49s, Russia Gosloto and Ireland’s Daily Million. You pick 1 to 5 numbers and win if they’re drawn. Licensed SA bookmakers like YesPlay, Playabets, Hollywoodbets and Easybet offer hundreds of draws a day. Over time, the odds pay back roughly 30c to 90c for every R1 you bet, depending on the draw and how many numbers you pick.
On this page
- What is Lucky Numbers?
- How to play Lucky Numbers
- Popular Lucky Numbers draws
- UK 49s draw times in SAST
- Lucky Numbers bet types
- Lucky Numbers odds explained
- Bonus ball included or excluded?
- Do predictions and hot numbers work?
- Where to check results
- Where to play Lucky Numbers in SA
- Is Lucky Numbers legal in South Africa?
- Frequently asked questions
What is Lucky Numbers?
Lucky Numbers is a betting product offered by South African bookmakers. It uses the results of real lottery draws from other countries, but you’re not entering those lotteries. You’re placing a bet with the bookmaker on what the result will be.
That has two important effects. First, your payout is fixed when you place the bet: if you bet R10 at odds of 50 and win, you get R500, no matter how many other people win. Second, there’s no jackpot to share. The bookmaker sets the odds for every draw and every bet type.
| Lucky Numbers bet | Lottery ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you play against | The bookmaker | Other ticket buyers |
| Payout | Fixed odds, known before you bet | Prize pool shared between winners |
| Numbers to pick | Usually 1 to 5 | The full line, e.g. 6 numbers |
| Draws available | Hundreds a day, from many countries | A few draws a week |
| Where | Licensed SA bookmakers | The National Lottery |
How to play Lucky Numbers in South Africa
- Open an account at a licensed bookmaker and complete FICA.
- Deposit using a method such as Ozow, a card or a voucher. See our payment methods guide.
- Go to Lucky Numbers (sometimes called “Numbers” or “Lotto”) and choose a draw, such as UK 49s Teatime.
- Choose your bet type: how many numbers you’re picking, and whether the bonus ball counts.
- Pick your numbers and check the odds on the bet slip.
- Enter your stake and place the bet before the countdown ends. Results usually appear in your account shortly after the draw.
Popular Lucky Numbers draws
Each draw is described by how many balls are drawn from how many. “6/49” means 6 balls are drawn from 49. The fewer balls in the pool, the better your chance of picking a winner, and the lower the odds.
| Draw | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK 49s Lunchtime and Teatime | 6/49 plus a booster ball | The best-known Lucky Numbers draws in South Africa, twice a day |
| Russia Gosloto | 5/36 and 6/45 | Several Gosloto draws are offered, many late at night SA time |
| Ireland Daily Million | 6/39 plus a bonus ball | Afternoon and evening draws |
| Brazil Mega Sena | 6/60 | Larger pool, so higher odds |
| Romania Loto | 6/49 and 5/40 | Popular European draws |
| US state lotteries | Usually 5 balls | For example Pennsylvania Cash 5 and Michigan Fantasy 5 |
UK 49s draw times in South African time
UK 49s has two draws every day, called Lunchtime and Teatime. Each draws 6 numbers from 1 to 49, plus a seventh “booster” ball.
| Draw | UK time | SA time (SAST) |
|---|---|---|
| Lunchtime | 12:49 | 13:49 during UK summer time (late March to late October); 14:49 during UK winter |
| Teatime | Late afternoon | 19:49 during UK winter (late October to late March); earlier during UK summer time |
South Africa doesn’t change its clocks, but the UK does, so the SA time of each draw moves by an hour twice a year. The easiest way to be sure is the countdown timer on your bookmaker’s bet slip. Bets close a few minutes before each draw.
Lucky Numbers bet types
- Numbers (1 to 5 balls): pick one or more numbers. All of them must be drawn for you to win. The more numbers you pick, the higher the odds.
- Bonus ball included or excluded: choose whether the bonus or booster ball counts as one of the drawn numbers.
- Bonus ball bets: bet on the bonus ball alone, for example its exact number or whether it’s odd or even.
- High/Low and Odd/Even: bet on whether most numbers drawn will be high or low, or odd or even.
- Sum of balls: bet on whether the total of the drawn numbers will be over or under a line set by the bookmaker.
Available bet types vary between bookmakers and between draws.
Lucky Numbers odds explained
To see how fair the odds are, compare them with your true chance of winning. In September 2026 we recorded these odds on YesPlay’s Lucky Numbers page:
| Draw | Bet | YesPlay odds | True chance | Paid back per R1 over time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland Daily Million 6/39 (bonus ball incl.) | 2 balls | 31.00 | 1 in 35.3 | 88c |
| Ireland Daily Million 6/39 (bonus ball incl.) | 3 balls | 221.00 | 1 in 261 | 85c |
| Brazil Mega Sena 6/60 | 2 balls | 101.00 | 1 in 118 | 86c |
| Brazil Mega Sena 6/60 | 3 balls | 1,001.00 | 1 in 1,711 | 59c |
| Romania Loto 6/49 | 2 balls | 47.00 | 1 in 78.4 | 60c |
| Romania Loto 6/49 | 3 balls | 370.00 | 1 in 921 | 40c |
| Romania Joker 5/45 | 3 balls | 430.00 | 1 in 1,419 | 30c |
How much Lucky Numbers pays back per R1
Based on YesPlay odds we recorded in September 2026, compared with the true chance of winning
2 balls3 balls
A full bar (R1) would be a fair bet · 18+ only · Terms apply · Responsible gambling helpline 0800 006 008
Two things stand out. First, the return varies a lot between draws: on the same day, a 2-ball bet could pay back 88c per R1 on one draw and 60c on another. Second, picking more numbers usually gives you a worse deal. The big odds on 3, 4 and 5 balls look exciting, but the bookmaker keeps a larger share.
Tip: before you bet, divide the odds by the true chance. If a 2-ball bet on a 6/49 draw (1 in 78.4) is offered at 47, you’re getting about 60c back per R1 in the long run.
Bonus ball included or excluded?
When the bonus ball is included, 7 numbers count instead of 6, so your chance of winning goes up and the odds go down. On a 6/49 draw, the chance of one number coming up rises from about 1 in 8.2 to 1 in 7. Neither option is better in itself; compare the odds for each against the true chance, as shown above.
Do Lucky Numbers predictions and hot numbers work?
No. Lottery draws are random, and every number has the same chance in every draw, no matter how often it has come up before. “Hot” and “cold” numbers, prediction websites and number systems can’t change that. Be wary of anyone selling Lucky Numbers predictions or “guaranteed” numbers on WhatsApp or social media.
Where to check Lucky Numbers results
Your bookmaker settles your bet automatically after the draw. Most have a Results tab in the Lucky Numbers section where you can search past draws by date. For UK 49s, results are also published by the draw’s official operator. Use the results from your bookmaker to check your bets, because that’s what they settle on.
Where to play Lucky Numbers in South Africa
| Bookmaker | Lucky Numbers | Sign-up offer |
|---|---|---|
| YesPlay | Popular, regular and rapid draws from many countries | 100% first deposit bonus up to R3,000. Read our review |
| Playabets | 156 draws listed when we checked, including UK 49s and Gosloto | 100% up to R3,000 plus 50 free spins; the 6x rollover counts Lucky Numbers bets. Read our review |
| Easybet | Lucky Numbers section | R50 no-deposit bonus that can be used on Lucky Numbers. See the terms |
| Hollywoodbets | Large Lucky Numbers section | R25 sign-up bonus plus 50 free spins. See the terms |
Want to compare welcome offers first? See our betting bonuses guide and our list of no deposit bonus betting sites.
Is Lucky Numbers legal in South Africa?
Lucky Numbers is offered by bookmakers that hold South African provincial licences. In August 2021, the High Court in Mbombela ruled that betting on the outcome of South Africa’s own National Lottery draws was unlawful, after a case brought by the National Lottery operator Ithuba against LottoStar. Licensed bookmakers continue to offer Lucky Numbers on international draws such as UK 49s.
Gambling law in South Africa is complicated and can change, and we’re not lawyers. The safest approach is to only play at licensed bookmakers. Read more in our guide to what’s legal in South Africa and learn how to check a licence.
Play Lucky Numbers responsibly
Lucky Numbers is quick and cheap to play, with new draws every few minutes. That makes it easy to spend more than you meant to. Set a budget before you start, use the deposit limits in your account, and never chase losses with bigger bets.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lucky Numbers in betting?
A fixed-odds bet on the numbers drawn in a lottery, usually an international one like UK 49s. You pick 1 to 5 numbers and win at the odds shown if they’re all drawn.
What time is the UK 49s draw in South Africa?
Lunchtime is drawn at 12:49 UK time, which is 13:49 SAST during UK summer time and 14:49 SAST in UK winter. Teatime is 19:49 SAST in UK winter and earlier during UK summer time. Check the countdown on your bookmaker’s bet slip.
How do I win at Lucky Numbers?
Every number you pick must be drawn. There’s no strategy that improves your chances, because draws are random. You can improve your value by choosing bets that pay back more per R1, as shown in our odds table.
Which bookmaker has the best Lucky Numbers odds?
It depends on the draw and the bet type. Compare the odds against the true chance of winning before you bet. Odds for the same draw can differ between bookmakers.
Can I use a bonus on Lucky Numbers?
Sometimes. Easybet’s R50 sign-up bonus can be used on sports and Lucky Numbers, and Playabets’ welcome bonus rollover counts Lucky Numbers bets. Check each bonus’s terms.
Are Lucky Numbers predictions real?
No. Lottery draws are random, so nobody can predict the numbers. Avoid anyone selling predictions or “sure” numbers.
What does 6/49 mean?
It means 6 balls are drawn from a pool of 49. The smaller the pool and the more balls drawn, the better your chance of winning.
18+ only. Betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money. If gambling stops being fun, call the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008 or read our responsible gambling guide.