You know the jackpot, but have you seen the big numbers?
For more than 11 years, ITHUBA operated one of South Africa's most prominent national institutions.
But beyond the jackpots, winners and weekly excitement, the scale of what was delivered national lottery There is something much bigger under Ithuba than many people realize.
operational excellence
Since taking over as operator in 2015, ITHUBA's operational excellence has led the National Lottery to deliver over R74.4 billion in ticket sales, contribute over R17.5 billion to good causes, pay out over R36 billion in prizes, and create 655 multi-millionaires with thousands of winners across the country still benefiting every day.
These figures reflect much more than business performance.
They represent more than a decade of public trust, expanded reach, strengthened systems, digital transformation and measurable national impact.
Since its launch in South Africa in 2000, the National Lottery has operated in a mature and highly established market where sustained growth is difficult to achieve.
Against this backdrop, ITHUBA has grown National Lottery sales by over 46% since taking over as operator in 2015 – a rare feat in a long-standing sector that demands continued relevance, disciplined execution and meaningful innovation.
developed significantly
Under ITHUBA's leadership, the National Lottery grew significantly, becoming more accessible and more accessible
Digitally enabled and more responsive to the changing needs of South African players.
When ITHUBA became operator in 2015, the National Lottery was largely retail-led, with over 98% of ticket purchases made through retail channels.
As consumer behavior evolved, ITHUBA expanded reach beyond traditional retail by introducing the first national lottery mobile app, enabling participation via USSD, expanding reach through mobile first channels, integrating with leading banking platforms and increasing both retail footprint and rural reach.
By 2026, over 65% of ticket purchases were taking place via digital platforms, demonstrating how the National Lottery evolved from a largely retail-based model to a modern, multi-channel experience while maintaining broad reach.
memorable moments
ITHUBA also saw a number of life-changing wins worth more than R100 million, including some of the most memorable jackpot moments in South African history.
These included a R232 million Powerball jackpot in 2019 and a R178 million Powerball jackpot in 2026, headline-grabbing moments that captured national attention and showed the extraordinary scale.
There is a possibility that the National Lottery may build under Ithuba.
For ITHUBA CEO Charmaine Mabuza, the story is not just about the headline jackpot, but also about the operational growth and transformation achieved over more than a decade.
Mabuza said, “People remember the jackpots, and rightly so – they were historic. But the bigger story is what the National Lottery delivered on a massive scale over more than 11 years. The numbers reflect strong growth, broad reach, strong systems and measurable national impact.”
Mabuza said Ithuba played its role with a clear focus on relevance, reach and innovation.
“From the beginning, we understood that this role was about much more than conducting draws and selling tickets. It was about strengthening trust, growing the platform and ensuring that the National Lottery remains accessible and relevant in a rapidly changing environment,” she said.
mature lottery market
He said one of ITHUBA's most significant achievements was to demonstrate that a mature lottery market can continue to grow through innovation and operational discipline.
Mabuza said, “The National Lottery existed long before ITHUBA took over operations. It was never about entering a new market with easy momentum. It was about taking an established institution and ensuring that it continues to grow, revitalize and deliver sustainable growth. ITHUBA has achieved exactly that.”
Beyond sales and systems, the company says the impact of the National Lottery is ultimately visible in the lives of those affected during that period. The payout of over R36 billion in awards and the creation of over 655 multi-millionaires represents thousands of triumphant moments across the country, while contributions of over R17.5 billion to good causes reflect the institution's wider socio-economic contribution.
CSI Initiative
In addition to the revenue generated for good causes through ticket sales, ITHUBA implemented its CSI initiatives focused on education, housing, enterprise development, SME support and gender inclusion, strengthening the belief that the impact should extend beyond the draw.
“We demonstrated that a South African company can operate a national institution at scale with integrity, innovation, discipline and business strength.
“We strengthened the National Lottery, expanded reach, modernized its platforms and delivered measurable value to participants, winners, communities and the country. We are confident in ITHUBA’s continued ability to innovate, lead and contribute in meaningful ways,” Mabuza concluded.
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