What Is the Lotto Bonus Ball?

If you play South Africa’s Lotto or Lotto Plus games, you’ve probably noticed an extra number drawn after the six main winning numbers. That number is called the Lotto Bonus Ball, and it often leaves players asking: what is the Lotto Bonus Ball, and why does it matter?

The simplest way to explain it is this: the Bonus Ball is drawn from the same pool as the other numbers, but it’s not part of the jackpot combination. You’ll still need all six main numbers to land the top prize. Instead, the Lotto Bonus Ball acts as a kind of wild card for certain secondary divisions — it can’t win you the jackpot, but it can upgrade smaller matches into payouts that are worth a lot more.

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Bonus Ball Prize Divisions Explained

The Bonus Ball only applies in specific divisions. It never creates a new jackpot, but it can upgrade smaller matches into payouts that matter. Here’s a clear breakdown of where it counts:

The Bonus Ball never affects the jackpot (you still need all six main numbers). It only applies to specific prize divisions listed below.

Division	Match Pattern	Applies To	Payout Notes
Division 2	4 11 23 31 42 B 5 Main Numbers + Bonus Ball	Lotto & Lotto Plus	Highest-paying Bonus Ball division; typically sits just below the jackpot and can reach hundreds of thousands of rand.
Division 4	7 16 28 35 B 4 Main Numbers + Bonus Ball	Lotto & Lotto Plus	Upgrades many 4-match tickets into a higher-paying division compared with four numbers alone.
Division 6	2 18 39 B 3 Main Numbers + Bonus Ball	Lotto & Lotto Plus	Often turns a non-paying 3-match into a small but welcome prize.

These divisions show that the Bonus Ball is best thought of as a booster. It doesn’t create jackpots, but it does upgrade ordinary matches into more valuable wins that make your ticket worth a lot more.

Where the Bonus Ball Counts

To really see the Bonus Ball in action, look at the middle prize tiers. It never contributes to the jackpot, but it often upgrades smaller matches into payouts that make a real difference.

For the official prize breakdowns, you can check the Ithuba National Lottery website.

So What Is The Lotto Bonus Ball?

The Lotto Bonus Ball doesn’t change your odds of winning the jackpot, but it’s one of the most important features for turning ordinary tickets into real wins. By understanding exactly where it counts, you’ll know why some tickets that look like near-misses still end up paying out.

This is also why you should always double-check your ticket carefully for Bonus Ball matches. Many players mistakenly throw away slips after missing the jackpot, not realising that a single Bonus Ball can bump them into a valuable prize division. Even three main numbers with the Bonus Ball can unlock a payout that would otherwise be nothing — proof that small details can make a big difference.

So next time you play Lotto or Lotto Plus, remember: the jackpot isn’t the only prize worth chasing. The Bonus Ball is there to reward those near-misses and keep the game exciting, turning ordinary combinations into wins that are still worth celebrating.