After an absence of six months, the National Lottery would make its comeback with a jackpot prize of R15-million, newly appointed Lotto operator Gidani announced on Friday.
Tickets for the first draw on October 13, would go on sale at 7 000 retailers across the country from October 5.
Punters would be able to buy tickets for the Lotto and Lotto Plus draw as well as the Wina Manje scratch card and Sportstake games.
”Lotto is back,” said the smiling Gidani chairperson and chief executive Bongani Khumalo.
Ticket prices will remain unchanged at R2,50, with an additional R1 for the Lotto Plus draw.
Khumalo also announced that Gidani would give 34% of its revenue to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for worthy causes.
Gidani was named as the new lottery operator by Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa last Friday.
Gidani was previously named as operator but the awarding of the licence was challenged by the previous operator, Uthingo, in court.
The Pretoria High Court ordered Mpahlwa to review all the bidders, and while that process was under way the lottery was suspended.
In the meantime the chairperson of the National Lotteries Board, Joseph Foster, said players who still held winning tickets from the draws taking place under Uthingo’s management could still claim their winnings.
”Players are reminded that they have only 365 days from the date of the draw for which they have a winning ticket to cash in prizes,” he said.
Similarly, people holding valid winning scratch cards could also claim their prizes. He said people could telephone Uthingo on 011-825-3719 for details on their nearest pay-out centre.
Players who want to find out more about the nearest outlets for the new draws and other queries can telephone 0800-777-777 and retailers can telephone 0800-443-264. – Sapa