Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Saturday, 3 January 2026 show that a total of R16.5 million in jackpots was up for grabs, providing a massive opportunity for South African players to start the new year with a life-changing win. As the National Lottery continues to grow in popularity, thousands of participants across the country tuned in to see if their winning numbers matched the balls drawn by the Ithuba central gaming system.
Whether you played via a physical retailer, a banking app, or the official website, checking your results promptly is the first step toward claiming a potential prize. Below, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of the draw results, the estimated jackpots, and essential information on how to claim your winnings in South Africa.
Winning Numbers for Saturday, 3 January 2026
The Saturday night draw is always a highlight for lottery enthusiasts. Here are the official Lotto results and Lotto Plus combinations for the draw held on 3 January 2026.
Lotto Draw Results
The main Lotto draw featured an estimated jackpot of R3 million.
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Winning Numbers: 01, 24, 33, 34, 45, 55
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Bonus Ball: 37
Lotto Plus 1 Draw Results
The Lotto Plus 1 draw offered an estimated jackpot of R2.5 million.
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Winning Numbers: 06, 30, 35, 36, 39, 52
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Bonus Ball: 16
Lotto Plus 2 Draw Results
The largest prize of the night was found in the Lotto Plus 2 draw, with a massive R11 million jackpot.
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Winning Numbers: 04, 08, 27, 33, 34, 57
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Bonus Ball: 48
Estimated Jackpots and Payout Divisions
The total prize pool for this weekend reached an impressive R16.5 million. While many players focus solely on the jackpot (Division 1), the National Lottery offers multiple ways to win even if you only match a few numbers.
| Game | Estimated Jackpot | Division 1 (6 Matches) | Division 2 (5 + Bonus) |
| Lotto | R3,000,000 | Pending | Pending |
| Lotto Plus 1 | R2,500,000 | Pending | Pending |
| Lotto Plus 2 | R11,000,000 | Pending | Pending |
Understanding the Payouts
In the event that no one matches all six winning numbers, the jackpot amount rolls over to the next draw, usually resulting in an even larger prize pool for the following Wednesday. For lower divisions, prizes are calculated based on the total pool size and the number of winners in that specific tier. For example, matching just the Bonus Ball and two numbers can still net you a small win to cover the cost of your next ticket.
How to Play and Ticket Costs?
If you missed out on the Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Saturday, 3 January 2026, you can easily prepare for the next draw. Playing the lottery in South Africa is designed to be accessible and affordable.
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Lotto Entry: A single board costs R5.00 (VAT inclusive).
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Lotto Plus 1: For an additional R2.50, you can enter your numbers into the first Plus draw.
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Lotto Plus 2: For another R2.50, you can enter the second Plus draw, totaling R10.00 for all three chances per board.
Where to Buy Tickets?
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Retailers: Visit any authorized National Lottery retailer (supermarkets, petrol stations, etc.).
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Banking Apps: Most major South African banks (ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Capitec) allow you to play directly from your account.
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Online: Use the official National Lottery website or mobile app.
Note: Ticket sales close at 8:30 PM on the day of the draw. The draw itself takes place at 9:00 PM.
How to Claim Your Winnings?
Winning is exciting, but knowing how to claim your prize is crucial. The process depends largely on the amount you have won and how you purchased your ticket.
Small Winnings (Up to R2,000)
For prizes up to R2,000, you can usually claim your cash at any authorized lottery retailer. If you played via a banking app, these winnings are typically credited automatically to your bank account within a few business days.
Medium Winnings (R2,001 to R50,000)
These amounts can be claimed at post offices or authorized prize-claim centers. You will need to present your winning ticket and a valid South African ID.
Large Winnings (Over R50,000)
If you are one of the lucky individuals who matched the winning numbers for a major jackpot, you must visit one of Ithuba’s regional offices.
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Required Documents: Original winning ticket, valid ID, and a recent bank statement.
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Counseling: Ithuba provides free financial and trauma counseling to all winners of R50,000 or more to help them manage their new wealth responsibly.
Accuracy and Verification
While eKayNews takes great care to provide the most accurate Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Saturday, 3 January 2026, we always recommend a second check. Human errors can occur during the reporting of fast-moving lottery data.
To verify your numbers officially:
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Visit the National Lottery Website.
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Use the official National Lottery Mobile App to scan your physical ticket.
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Visit an authorized retailer and ask for a terminal result slip.
Responsible Gambling
The National Lottery is intended for entertainment. If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, please contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme at 0800 006 008. You must be 18 years or older to play.
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Historical Context: Recent Big Wins
The 3 January 2026 draw follows a year of massive payouts in 2025. Just last month, a lucky player in Gauteng walked away with over R60 million. The National Lottery continues to fund various charitable causes through the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), meaning that even when you don’t win, a portion of your ticket price goes toward sports, arts, and community development across South Africa.
Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Saturday, 3 January 2026 are a reminder that anyone can be a winner. Check your tickets carefully—you might be South Africa’s newest millionaire!
references from mainstream media sources.
1. The Citizen
Link: https://www.citizen.co.za/lotto/lotto-and-lotto-plus-results-saturday-3-january-2026/
2. The Mercury (Independent Online)
Link: https://themercury.co.za/2026-01-01-lucky-lotto-player-wins-r65-million-on-new-years-eve/
3. SAPeople
Link: https://www.sapeople.com/news/daily-lotto-friday-3-januarys-numbers-and-results/
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