Ithuba addresses allegations of favouritism in lottery wins
Social media posts allege that Absa and FNB are the only banks associated with all major winners since 2020.
South Africa.- National Lottery operator Ithuba has debunked claims circulating on social media about the legitimacy of its winners, labelling them as “misleading and factually incorrect”.
The posts allege that Absa and FNB are the only banks associated with all major winners since 2020, and that Ithuba had supposedly confirmed in the past that all 2022 Division 1 winners were from these banks.
Denying the allegations, Ithuba said: “This is simply not true. Winners come from across the country, via both retail outlets and digital platforms.”
However, Ithuba pointed out that FNB and Absa were the first banks to partner with them, allowing players to access National Lottery games through their platforms. The operator continued: “In fact, when Ithuba was awarded the licence 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.”
The company said that although banking platforms now drive 60 per cent of lottery sales, winners come from all regions, including rural villages and cities, through retail and digital channels.
This is not the first time Ithuba has faced allegations of bias in its winner selection process. On August 5, 2025, an anonymous player won a R124.6 million (€6.0m) PowerBall jackpot via a R37.50 (€1.83) ticket bought on the Absa banking app. The win stirred online debates, with some social media users questioning whether Ithuba favours insiders with big prizes.
At the time, Ithuba clarified that before each draw, certified machines and random number generators are tested by independent auditors to guarantee random results. Also, the process is thoroughly monitored, ensuring that no staff can influence outcomes.
Since taking the reins of the National Lottery in 2015, Ithuba has created hundreds of millionaires and contributed over R15.4 billion (€749.9m) to the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, which supports good causes across South Africa.
The company concluded: “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.”
