Sizekhaya is set to hold its first National Lottery draw under South Africa’s new licence, offering jackpots totalling US$13.7m
The operator’s inaugural draw since taking over the National Lottery will mark the return of live televised broadcasts and put R223m in PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpots into play.
South Africa.- Sizekhaya is set to stage its first National Lottery draw a day after assuming control of the licence on June 1. The draw, scheduled for the night of June 2, will also mark the operator’s inaugural live televised draw, one of the most visible early changes under South Africa’s new National Lottery licence.
The draw is expected to feature an estimated combined PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpot of R223m (US$13.7m), according to IOL. This includes a R118m (US$7.2m) PowerBall jackpot and a R105m (US$6.4m) PowerBall Plus jackpot, with the rollover prize pools carried into the new licence period set to be put into play for the first time under Sizekhaya’s stewardship of the National Lottery.
Promotional broadcasts linked to the relaunch indicate that the first live televised draw is expected to feature PowerBall on June 2 at 9 pm (SAST), with live draws promoted for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on e.tv and SABC channels.
Sizekhaya Holdings officially assumed control of the National Lottery on June 1 in partnership with the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), beginning an eight-year licence period. The handover followed Ithuba’s final National Lottery draw on May 29, ending the outgoing operator’s tenure.
Bringing live draws back is about more than nostalgia, according to Sizekhaya Holdings CEO Lebo Ndadana, who said the format is intended to make the lottery more visible and engaging for South Africans. “We believe South Africans want to see and experience the lottery again in a more visible and engaging way. Bringing live draws back is part of restoring that excitement and reconnecting people with the experience,” said Ndadana, according to the Citizen.
Expanding lottery accessibility nationwide
Ahead of the transition, Sizekhaya used its website and social media channels to promote a “Guess the Presenters” competition and a “Name the Machine” campaign, both aimed at building anticipation ahead of the launch of its live televised draws.
Sizekhaya plans to expand access through retail and digital channels as part of broader efforts to widen participation in lottery products. The operator also intends to introduce new technology partnerships, enhanced digital services and player engagement initiatives during its eight-year licence period.
The operator has also said that, under its new licence period, it aims to create “more winners, more often” while maintaining a strong focus on responsible participation and operational integrity. “We understand the responsibility that comes with becoming custodians of an institution as important and recognisable as the National Lottery,” said Ndadana.
He added: “This is a national asset. It belongs to the people of South Africa. We want South Africans to feel excited about participating in the lottery, confident in its integrity and proud of the contribution it continues to make in communities across the country.”
The National Lottery continues to fund community, sports, arts and development programmes through the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund. Sizekhaya says the return of live televised draws will be one of the most visible early developments under its new operating structure.
