Playing the lottery can be exciting, and Lotto Plus gives you even more chances to win. If you've ever wondered how to get in on the action, it's simpler than you might think.

Lotto Plus is an extra game you can play alongside the main Lotto draw in South Africa. It gives you a second (Lotto Plus 1) and even a third (Lotto Plus 2) chance to win prizes using the same numbers you picked for the main Lotto game. You can't play Lotto Plus on its own; you always need to play the main Lotto first. It costs an extra R2.50 for each Lotto Plus draw you add to your ticket, on top of the R5 for the main Lotto.

How Lotto Plus Works

The South African Lotto Plus draws happen every Wednesday and Saturday evening, right after the main Lotto draw, usually around 8:56 PM. You pick six numbers from 1 to 58 for your main Lotto ticket. These same six numbers are then automatically entered into Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 if you choose to play them. This means you don't need to pick new numbers for each "Plus" game. It's like having multiple bites at the apple with one set of lucky numbers.

I remember the first time I played Lotto Plus. I'd been playing the main Lotto for a while with no big wins. My friend told me about Lotto Plus and how it was just an extra R2.50. I figured, why not? It felt like getting a bonus chance without much extra effort. While I didn't win the jackpot, I did manage to match a few numbers in Lotto Plus 1 that draw, which felt like a small victory!

Ready to Play? Here's How:

You have a few easy ways to play Lotto Plus:

At a Store:

• Grab a Lotto bet slip from any authorised National Lottery retailer.
• Mark your six numbers between 1 and 58 on the board(s) you want to play. You can pick your own or choose "Quick Pick" for random numbers.
• Look for the boxes labelled "Lotto Plus 1" and "Lotto Plus 2" at the top or side of your bet slip and mark them if you want to enter these extra draws.
• Decide how many draws you want to play for (you can play for multiple weeks in advance).
• Pay for your ticket. Remember, it's R5 for the main Lotto, plus R2.50 for Lotto Plus 1, and another R2.50 for Lotto Plus 2, per board. So, if you play all three for one board, it's R10.
• Keep your ticket safe!

Online or via Banking App:

• Many banks, like Capitec and Nedbank, allow you to play Lotto, Lotto Plus 1, and Lotto Plus 2 directly from their mobile apps or online banking platforms. If you play using the Capitec app, it's very convenient.
• Log into your chosen platform.
• Find the "Lotto" or "Play Lotto" section.
• Select "Lotto" and then pick your six numbers or use the "Quick Pick" option.
• You'll then see options to add "Lotto Plus 1" and "Lotto Plus 2." Select these if you want to play them.
• Confirm your purchase. Your numbers are saved digitally, so no paper ticket to lose.

Important Things to Remember:

• Age Limit: You must be at least 18 years old to play.
• Draw Times: Draws happen on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:56 PM. Make sure you buy your ticket before the cut-off time, which is usually around 8:30 PM on draw days.
• Checking Results: You can check the winning numbers on the National Lottery website, through banking apps, or at retail outlets. Always double-check your ticket against official results.

A few months ago, my aunt called me so excited because she thought she had won a small prize in Lotto Plus. She'd used the Quick Pick option on her bank app. Turns out, she got three numbers right in Lotto Plus 1, and she got R50! It wasn't life-changing money, but she was so happy because it was her first win and it covered her next few tickets. It just goes to show, sometimes those extra chances really pay off.

When you're looking for extra opportunities, remember that you can also earn free rewards and vouchers with the Points Castle App, giving you more spending power for the things you enjoy, even a Lotto ticket!