iThuba Holdings’ licence to run South Africa’s National Lottery expired on Sunday, 31 May 2026, ending an 11-year tenure and handing control of one of the country’s most lucrative commercial licences to Sizekhaya Holdings from Monday, 1 June 2026.
iThuba confirmed on Sunday that ticket sales under its licence ceased at 20:30, bringing its run as National Lottery operator to a close.
The transition marks the biggest change to South African lottery operations in more than a decade.
Who is Sizekhaya Holdings?
Sizekhaya Holdings is led by KwaZulu-Natal businessmen Moses Tembe and Sandile Zungu.
From 1 June, Sizekhaya Holdings officially takes over operations of the National Lottery in partnership with the National Lotteries Commission for the next eight-year period.
The National Lottery tender is reportedly worth R180 billion for the five-year term. Sizekhaya was awarded the Fourth National Lottery and Sports Pools Licence by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) in May 2025.
What happened to iThuba?
iThuba has operated the National Lottery for 11 years, having commenced operations in 2015. They were initially granted an eight-year licence, which concluded in 2023, after which it was extended on a year-to-year basis.
iThuba challenged the licence award in the Pretoria High Court, alleging irregularities in the tender process. Judge Ronel Tolmay dismissed the interdict in November 2025, saying the allegations were baseless.
She also ruled that it was in the public interest of South Africans to keep the national lottery running smoothly.
What changes under the South Africa lottery new operator 2026?
The games carry over but much of the structure around them is changing.
Lotto numbers have been reduced from 58 to 52, and 1 to 50 for PowerBall. Sizekhaya plans to cascade their jackpots and disregard the rollover system, meaning that if there are no winners in the first division, the same jackpot amount will be moved to winners in the second division.
PowerBall Plus will now be called PowerBall Extra. PowerBall tickets will now cost R10 while Lotto tickets remain at R5.
Sizekhaya is bringing back live draws for the National Lottery, starting 2 June.
The move from iThuba to Sizekhaya is the biggest operational change to the National Lottery in over a decade. Almost everything around the games is shifting at once: a new platform, live televised draws, the return of scratch cards, revised odds and jackpot mechanics, and a fresh app and online experience.
Sizekhaya is launching the National Lottery on a completely new technology platform built with international lottery systems provider Genlot. Because the new system is separate from the one iThuba operated, the changeover is not a simple software update.
What about online accounts?
iThuba has warned that all existing National Lottery online accounts will close, and that funds should be withdrawn to avoid losing access to balances. There will be no carryover of accounts or balances between the outgoing and incoming operators.
If you won a prize under iThuba, you will still be eligible for payout even after the licence ended. Players with outstanding claims should contact the National Lotteries Commission directly.
What about retailers?
On 1 June, all existing National Lottery equipment ceased to function. Sizekhaya’s lottery technology is entirely new, so all retailers need to apply to become approved outlets.
Players should confirm with their regular retailer whether they are ready to process tickets under the new system.
What is the political controversy around Sizekhaya?
Deputy President Paul Mashatile denied any wrongdoing after questions were raised in Parliament about alleged links between him and beneficiaries of the R180-billion national lottery tender.
Sizekhaya Holdings has consistently dismissed any links to Mashatile, his former wife, or any political figures, with Chief Operating Officer Fundi Sithebe stating there has been no political interference whatsoever.
What happens to NLC grant funding?
The National Lotteries Commission, which distributes lottery proceeds to arts, sports, charity and development organisations, continues to operate independently of the operator change.
Sizekhaya has committed to maintaining and growing contributions to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
