Two become millionaires overnight in South African lotto
Since South African lotto winnings are exempt from tax, the winners get to keep the entire amount, without any deductions.
South Africa.- Two South Africans have emerged as the lucky winners of a R79 million (€3.8m) jackpot following a Lotto draw on June 18, 2025, which saw the players match all winning numbers – these were 10, 13, 27, 30, 38 and 39.
The two winners will share the R78,977,677.80 jackpot, each taking home R39,488,838.90 (€1.9m). Since South African lotto winnings are exempt from tax, the winners get to keep the entire amount, without any deductions.
The first winner, identified as a self-employed woman from Johannesburg, purchased her winning quick-pick ticket for R30 (€1.45) at the Day & Night Superstore in Yeoville.
As a frequent player, she never expected the impulse buy to turn her world around. She recalled: “I was in shock and complete disbelief when I realised I had won.” She added that her husband was the first person she shared the news with.
With her winnings, the woman plans to purchase a dream home, a reliable car, grow her business and generally secure a brighter future for her family.
The second winner, a panel beater, bought his lucky ticket with R200 (€9.63) via a banking app and also used the quick pick option. After the draw, he received a call from his bank informing him of the life-changing win.
The player said the news of winning still feels surreal because, despite playing the lottery every week for years, winning had always seemed like a far-off possibility. He said: “But I had hope. Now, here I am, a multi-millionaire.”
He intends to invest a substantial amount of his winnings, donate to charity, and splurge on his biking hobby.
Although the two winners have their plans laid out, they can also access Ithuba’s winner support program, which offers financial planning and trauma counseling to lottery winners to help them manage their windfall at no cost.
Charmaine Mabuza, CEO of Ithuba, said: “This new financial reality can be overwhelming, which is why we at Ithuba are passionate about not just responsible playing, but responsible winning too.”
