Lucky Numbers betting explained
Lucky Numbers lets you bet on the results of international lottery draws, such as UK 49s Lunchtime and Teatime, at a South African bookmaker. You pick one to five numbers at a fixed payout. One number has a 12.2% chance of coming up; three numbers about 1 in 921, and every payout carries a house edge.
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Lucky Numbers is one of the most-played bets in South Africa, and one of the simplest. You pick numbers, choose a draw and set a stake. If your numbers come up, you’re paid at fixed odds. This guide explains how it works, what the real chances are and what that means for how much you can expect to keep.
What Lucky Numbers is
Lucky Numbers is fixed-odds betting on the results of lottery draws. South African bookmakers take bets on draws held around the world. You aren’t buying a lottery ticket and you’re not in a jackpot pool: you’re betting against the bookmaker on which numbers will appear, at a price you know in advance.
The most popular draws are UK 49s Lunchtime and Teatime, drawn twice a day. Bookmakers also offer draws such as the Irish Lotto, US Powerball, Russian and German lotteries, and many others, each with its own number range and schedule.
The South African National Lottery is a separate, licensed lottery; Lucky Numbers markets are run by bookmakers, not the lottery.
How to place a Lucky Numbers bet
- Log in to your bookmaker and open Lucky Numbers (sometimes listed as “Lotto” or “Numbers”).
- Choose a draw, for example UK 49s Teatime.
- Choose how many numbers to play, usually one to five.
- Pick your numbers, or use a quick pick.
- Decide on the booster if the draw has one and the bet allows it.
- Set your stake and check the payout shown on the bet slip.
- Place the bet before the draw closes.
All your chosen numbers must come up for the bet to win. Results are posted on the bookmaker’s site after the draw.
The real odds on UK 49s
In a UK 49s draw, six main numbers are drawn from 49 (plus a seventh “booster” ball). Here are the true chances of all your numbers appearing among the six main balls:
| Numbers picked | Chance of all appearing | Roughly 1 in | Fair odds (decimal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12.24% | 8.2 | 8.17 |
| 2 | 1.28% | 78 | 78.4 |
| 3 | 0.109% | 921 | 921 |
| 4 | 0.0071% | 14,125 | 14,125 |
| 5 | 0.00031% | 317,814 | 317,814 |
“Fair odds” is what a bet would pay if there were no house edge. Every bookmaker pays less than this, and the difference is their margin.
How to work out the house edge
Take the bookmaker’s payout and multiply by the true chance. Suppose a bookmaker pays 7.00 on a single number:
Expected return = 7.00 × 12.24% = 85.7%
That’s a house edge of about 14%: on average you’d get back about R86 for every R100 staked. If another bookmaker pays 7.50 on the same bet, its return is about 91.8%. Compare payouts before you choose where to play, because they differ and the difference is real money over time.
Bets on more numbers often carry bigger edges, because the payouts are rounded down further from the fair price. Always check the payout table for your draw.
The booster ball
Some bets let you include the booster ball, so seven numbers count instead of six. That raises your chance on a single number from 6 in 49 to 7 in 49 (14.3%), and the payout is lower to match. It’s not better or worse on its own; check the payout against the new probability using the same sum.
Other Lucky Numbers bets
Besides picking numbers, bookmakers often offer markets such as:
- whether the sum of the drawn numbers is over or under a line,
- odd or even counts,
- which colour or range the first ball falls in.
These have their own odds and margins. Work out the real chance where you can before you bet.
A worked example in Rands
Say you bet R10 a day on one number in UK 49s Teatime, at a payout of 7.00, for 30 days. That’s R300 staked.
- Expected wins: about 3.7 (12.24% of 30). Each pays R70.
- Expected return: about R257. Expected loss about R43.
- What actually happens: some months you’ll hit 6 times and finish ahead; others you’ll hit once or twice and be down R160 or more.
Now say you play three numbers instead, at R10 a day. The payout is much bigger, but the chance of a hit is about 1 in 921. Over 30 days you’d expect about 0.03 wins, meaning most months, and most years, you’d never hit at all.
That’s the trade-off: the more numbers you pick, the bigger the possible win and the less likely it is to happen.
Lucky Numbers promotions
Some bookmakers add offers to Lucky Numbers. From our data:
- YesPlay offers Lucky Numbers cashback of 10%.
- YesPlay also has a UK 49s free bet worth R10 and a Powerball free bet worth R50.
Cashback reduces the effective house edge, which makes it worth more than it looks for regular players. Check whether it’s paid as cash or as a bonus with conditions.
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1SA licensedWelcome bonus · sports100% up to R21,000+ 750 free spins · over 3 deposits4xMin R20
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2SA licensedWelcome bonus · sports100% up to R20,0005xMin R50
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3SA licensedWelcome bonus · sports100% up to R20,000Min R50
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4SA licensedSign-up bonus · sportsFree bet R251xNo deposit
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5SA licensedWelcome bonus · sports100% up to R5,000over 3 deposits5x
Lucky Numbers vs other quick bets
Lucky Numbers is often played alongside other fast, simple bets. Here’s how the experience compares:
- Lucky Numbers: a draw every few hours on the most popular lotteries, fixed payouts, and house edges that vary widely between bookmakers.
- Crash games such as Aviator: a round every few seconds and an RTP of about 97%, which means a lower edge per bet but far more bets per hour. Our guide to how to play Aviator explains them.
- Plinko and other instant games: published RTPs, usually 97% to 99%, and results in seconds. See our guide to Plinko odds.
A higher edge on fewer bets can cost less per hour than a lower edge on many bets. Think about how much you stake in total, not just the payout.
Myths about Lucky Numbers
- “Hot numbers come up more.” Every draw is independent. A number that came up yesterday is no more or less likely today.
- “Cold numbers are due.” Same reason. The balls don’t remember.
- “Prediction sites and number generators improve your chances.” They can’t. Anyone selling “sure” Lucky Numbers predictions is selling the cost of their service, not better odds.
- “Playing the same numbers every day guarantees a win eventually.” It doesn’t, and the cost adds up while you wait.
Playing Lucky Numbers sensibly
- Know your chance. Use the table above before choosing how many numbers to play.
- Compare payouts between bookmakers for the same draw.
- Keep stakes small relative to your budget. Twice-daily draws make it easy to bet often.
- Set a weekly limit. A deposit limit does this for you. Our bankroll management guide explains how to budget for regular betting.
- Don’t chase. Increasing your stake after missed draws is the fastest way to lose more than you planned.
The bottom line
Lucky Numbers is simple, quick and cheap to play, which is why it’s so popular. It’s also a game of fixed, built-in odds against you, with house edges that can be higher than most casino games. Play it for fun with money you can afford to lose, compare payouts between bookmakers, and never treat it as a way to make money. If it stops being fun, free help is on 0800 006 008.
Compare all betting sites in South Africa.
Frequently asked questions
How does Lucky Numbers betting work?
You choose a draw (for example UK 49s Lunchtime), pick how many numbers you want to play, choose them and set your stake. If all your numbers come up in the draw, you're paid at the bookmaker's fixed odds for that many numbers.
What are the odds of winning UK 49s with 1 number?
Six main balls are drawn from 49, so a single number has a 6 in 49 chance, about 12.2% or 1 in 8.2. Fair odds would be about 8.17; bookmakers pay less, which is their edge.
What is the booster ball in 49s?
The booster is a seventh ball drawn after the six main numbers. Some bets let you include it, which raises your chance of matching but usually pays lower odds.
Is Lucky Numbers the same as the Lotto?
No. Lucky Numbers is a fixed-odds bet with a bookmaker on the result of a draw. You don't buy a lottery ticket, there's no shared jackpot, and the payout is set when you bet.
Which betting sites offer Lucky Numbers in South Africa?
Most licensed bookmakers do, including Hollywoodbets, Betway, YesPlay and Supabets. Our Lucky Numbers list compares them, including any cashback or free bet offers.
Can you predict Lucky Numbers results?
No. Each draw is random and independent. 'Hot' and 'cold' numbers, number generators and prediction sites can't change the odds.
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Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.