⚠️ Important Facts You Must Know

• Sportstake is legal gambling operated by Ithuba National Lottery
• Entry costs just R2 per board (Sportstake 13 & 8)
• You must be 18 or older to play – it’s the law
• Gambling is risky – most people lose money
• Free help available: 0800 006 008 (24/7 helpline)

What is Sportstake?

Sportstake is a sports prediction game run by Ithuba. Ithuba operates the National Lottery in South Africa.

You predict the results of football, rugby, or cricket matches. If your predictions are correct, you can win money.

Sportstake is legal gambling. It is regulated by the National Gambling Board.

Types of Sportstake Games

There are five different Sportstake games. Each works a bit differently.

1. Sportstake 13 (Soccer 13)

What it is: Predict the outcome of 13 football matches.

How it works: For each match, choose: Home Win (1), Draw (X), or Away Win (2).

Cost: R2 per board.

To win: You must get at least 10 results correct.

Draws: Twice a week – midweek and weekend fixtures.

2. Sportstake 8

What it is: Predict the outcome of 8 football matches – but for each half.

How it works: For each match, predict the first half AND the second half result. That’s 16 predictions total.

Cost: R2 per board.

To win: You must get at least 13 out of 16 predictions correct.

Draws: Three times a week.

3. Sportstake 4

What it is: Predict the outcome of 4 football matches – first half and full time.

Cost: R2 per board.

Draws: Regularly throughout the week.

4. Sportstake Rugby

What it is: Predict the outcome of 10 rugby matches.

Cost: R5 per board.

To win: You must get at least 7 results correct.

How to play: Online only.

5. Sportstake Cricket

What it is: Predict the outcome of 10 cricket matches.

Cost: R5 per board.

To win: You must get at least 7 results correct.

How to play: Online only.

✅ How to Play Sportstake

Playing at a Retailer (In-Store)

Step 1: Go to any National Lottery retailer. Look for shops with the lottery sign.

Step 2: Get a fixture list. It shows which matches you can bet on.

Step 3: Get a betslip from the cashier.

Step 4: Make your predictions. Mark the box for each match.

• Mark “1” if you think the home team will win
• Mark “X” if you think it will be a draw
• Mark “2” if you think the away team will win

Step 5: Give your betslip to the cashier. Pay for your ticket.

Step 6: Keep your ticket safe. You need it to claim any winnings.

Step 7: Check results online at nationallottery.co.za or at the retailer.

Playing Online

Step 1: Go to www.nationallottery.co.za (the only official website).

Step 2: Create an account. You’ll need your ID number.

Step 3: Add money to your account using your bank card.

Step 4: Choose your game and make your predictions.

Step 5: Pay for your ticket.

Step 6: Check your account to see if you won.

Costs and Fees

Here are the costs for each Sportstake game as of December 2025:

Game	Cost per Board	Maximum Bet
Sportstake 13	R2	R2,000 per ticket
Sportstake 8	R2	R2,000 per ticket
Sportstake 4	R2	R2,000 per ticket
Sportstake Rugby	R5	R2,000 per ticket
Sportstake Cricket	R5	R2,000 per ticket

Example Costs

1 board of Sportstake 13: R2

5 boards of Sportstake 13: R10

1 board with Multi-Play (choosing 2 outcomes for 3 matches): R16 (8 combinations x R2)

Prizes and Odds of Winning

Sportstake does not have fixed prize amounts. Prizes depend on:

• How much money was spent on tickets
• How many people won
• Which prize division you win

Sportstake 13 Prize Divisions

Correct Predictions	Division	Share of Prize Pool
All 13 correct	Division 1	60% of pool
12 correct	Division 2	20% of pool
11 correct	Division 3	15% of pool
10 correct	Division 4	5% of pool

Understanding Your Odds

The odds of winning Sportstake are very low. Here’s the truth:

• Sportstake 13: Getting all 13 correct is extremely difficult. Even getting 10 correct is hard.
• Sportstake 8: The odds of getting all 16 predictions correct are about 1 in 1,076,370 if you guess randomly.
• Reality: Most people lose more money than they win over time.

🚨 Scams to Avoid

Scammers target Sportstake and lottery players. Protect yourself.

Common Scams

How to Protect Yourself

• Never pay fees to claim lottery winnings
• Never share your ID number, bank details, or PIN
• Only use the official website: www.nationallottery.co.za
• Only buy tickets from licensed retailers
• Check results yourself on the official website
• If you didn’t play, you can’t win
• If it sounds too good to be true, it’s a scam

⚠️ Responsible Gambling

Gambling can become a serious problem. Know the signs.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

• You spend more money than you planned
• You gamble with money needed for bills or food
• You borrow money to gamble
• You lie to family about gambling
• You feel guilty or anxious about gambling
• You gamble to escape problems
• You can’t stop even when you want to
• Gambling causes problems in your relationships

How to Gamble Safely

• Set a budget: Decide how much you can afford to lose before you play
• Set a time limit: Don’t spend all day gambling
• Never chase losses: Don’t try to win back money you lost
• Don’t borrow to gamble: Only gamble with your own money
• Take breaks: Don’t gamble every day
• Remember: Gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money

✅ Where to Get Help

If gambling is causing problems, help is available. It’s free and confidential.

Who Can Play Sportstake?

Age Requirement

You must be 18 years old or older. This is the law in South Africa.

It is illegal for retailers to sell lottery tickets to anyone under 18.

If you play online, you’ll need to verify your age with your ID number.

What You Need to Play

• In-store: Just money for your ticket (minimum R2)
• Online: South African ID number, bank card, email address

Claiming Prizes

Small prizes: Can be claimed at any National Lottery retailer.

Large prizes: You’ll need to visit an Ithuba regional office.

Documents needed: Your winning ticket, ID document, bank details.

Tax: You don’t pay tax on lottery or Sportstake winnings in South Africa.

✅ Better Alternatives to Gambling

Instead of spending money on Sportstake, consider these options:

Save Your Money

If you spend R20 per week on Sportstake, that’s R1,040 per year.

Put that money in a savings account instead. You’ll have R1,040 guaranteed.

Join a Stokvel

Stokvels are savings clubs where members contribute money each month.

Everyone gets a payout at the end. It’s guaranteed money, not a gamble.

Start a Side Income

Use the money you’d spend on gambling to start a small business.

Even R100 per month can buy stock to resell for profit.

Build an Emergency Fund

Save R50 per week. In one year, you’ll have R2,600 for emergencies.

This is better than gambling and hoping to win.

Sportstake is legal gambling in South Africa. But it’s important to understand the risks.

The truth about Sportstake: Most people lose money. The odds of winning big prizes are very low. Gambling can become addictive and cause serious problems.

If you choose to play: Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Set a strict budget. Never chase losses. Stop if it stops being fun.

Protect yourself from scams: Never pay fees to claim winnings. Only use www.nationallottery.co.za. Never share your bank details.

Get help if needed: If gambling causes problems, call 0800 006 008. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Remember: Saving money guarantees you’ll have money. Gambling guarantees nothing.