Home › Play from South Africa
Playing US lotteries from South Africa
US lotteries sell tickets only inside the United States, but winners do not need to be US residents.[1] South Africans play through ticket courier services that buy an official ticket in their name. The numbers arrive in South Africa early in the morning after each US draw.
Latest Mega Millions (Tuesday 3 November 2026):
- 04
- 24
- 31
- 62
- 70
- 03
1The essentials
- Games
- Mega Millions and US Powerball
- US price
- Mega Millions US$5 · Powerball US$2
- Results in SA
- Mega Millions: Wed and Sat mornings · Powerball: Tue, Thu and Sun mornings
- Jackpot odds
- About 1 in 290 million for both
- US withholding
- 30% federal for non-residents (treaty relief may apply)[3]
- Help
- National Responsible Gambling Programme: 0800 006 008 (free)[5]
2Step by step
- Choose a ticket courier service. It employs agents in the US who buy the physical ticket for you.
- Register with your real details. You must be 18 or older; prizes are paid to the account holder.
- Pick your numbers or use Quick Pick. Ideas: statistics or the generator.
- Pay in rand and check the final price and card or EFT fees before confirming.
- Check the ticket scan in your account before the draw. If it never appears, do not keep using that service.
- Check the results here the morning after the draw.
3Courier vs lottery betting
South Africans often see two different products advertised side by side. They are not the same thing:
| Ticket courier | Lottery bet | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A real US ticket in your name | A wager on the draw result |
| Who pays a win | The US state lottery (via the courier) | The bookmaker, at its own odds |
| Jackpot | The real jackpot, shared if there are several winners | Whatever the bookmaker's rules say |
| Price | Ticket price plus service fee | Stake chosen by you |
This site's affiliate links point to a ticket courier service.
4When the draws happen
| Game | Nov–Mar | Mar–Nov |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 06:00 | 05:00 |
| Powerball | 05:59 | 04:59 |
5Choosing a safe service
- It names the company behind it and has a track record you can verify.
- It shows the scanned ticket before the draw, not after.
- It explains its fees in writing and how small and large prizes are paid.
- It never asks you to "pay tax up front" to release a prize: that is the most common scam.
Scam warning: no one can tell you that you won a lottery you did not enter. Ignore WhatsApp messages, emails or social posts asking for money to release a US lottery prize.
6Tax if you win
In the US. A non-resident's prize normally has 30% federal tax withheld.[3] Some states add their own tax (California and Florida do not tax lottery prizes; New York does). South Africa has a tax treaty with the US, and South African residents may be able to reclaim the federal withholding on gambling winnings by filing a US non-resident return; get professional advice before you claim.
In South Africa. How SARS treats a foreign lottery prize depends on your circumstances. Speak to a registered tax practitioner before you claim a large prize.
Work out the net prize in rand →
7The legal position
South African gambling law is set nationally and by the provinces, and it is being reviewed in 2026. In 2021 the High Court ruled that betting on the results of the South African National Lottery is unlawful.[4] The position of foreign ticket courier services has not been tested in the same way. We are not lawyers: check the current rules before you play, and play only if you are 18 or older.
8Frequently asked questions
Can South Africans win the US Mega Millions or Powerball?
Yes. Neither game requires winners to be US citizens or residents. What matters is that the ticket was bought inside the US, which is what a courier service does for you.
Is a ticket courier the same as a lottery bet?
No. A courier buys a real ticket in your name and you own that ticket. A lottery bet (offered by some South African bookmakers) is a wager on the result: you never hold a ticket and the bookmaker pays you at its own odds. In 2021 the High Court ruled that betting on the South African National Lottery results is unlawful.
How much does a ticket cost from South Africa?
In the US, Mega Millions costs US$5 and Powerball US$2. Courier services charge more because they include the purchase and storage of the ticket; compare the final price in rand before paying.
Do I pay tax if I win?
The US normally withholds 30% federal tax from a non-resident's prize. South Africa has a tax treaty with the US, and South African residents may be able to reclaim that withholding on gambling winnings. How SARS treats a foreign lottery prize depends on your situation: speak to a registered tax practitioner before you claim.
What is the safest way to check if I won?
Compare your ticket scan with the official numbers, published here after every draw: Mega Millions and Powerball.
Sources
- Powerball. "FAQs": draw time, non-resident purchases and claiming prizes. powerball.com
- Mega Millions. "How to Play": rules, price and multiplier. megamillions.com
- IRS. Publication 515, "Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities": 30% withholding and treaty exemptions. irs.gov
- Gaming Intelligence, "High Court rules lottery betting illegal in South Africa", Sept 2021. gamingintelligence.com
- National Gambling Board. National Responsible Gambling Programme: toll-free helpline 0800 006 008. ngb.org.za