By Farai Diza
The glowing speckle in any punters eye screams 'millions'. While some drool in dreams, a vast majority stake up their chances of becoming millionaires one day by playing Lotto.
From the first of June Gidani will be handing over the National Lottery reigns to Ithuba. Ithuba has relatively pledged to give their customers an exciting global experience. But what realy are they going to bring on board?
The AmazingAfrika blog tracked down Ithuba CEO, Mrs Charmaine Mabuza for an exclusive interview to find out more about the company that will soon be unearthing millionaires and uplifting communities.
A sigh of relief for punters is that all Lotto, Lotto Plus, Powerball and Sportstake ticket prices will remain the same at launch.
"At launch all prices will remain the same for Lotto, Lotto Plus, Powerball and Sportstake. There are plans to add on more games and to increase jackpot prizes - to effect higher prize payouts, this may inevitably have an effect on prices. At this stage though all prices will remain the same," said Mrs Mabuza.
Lotto, Lotto Plus and Powerball tickets cost R3.50 a board. If you're lucky enough to match all winning numbers, the rewards are worth a whole lot more - like a jackpot big enough to realise your wildest dreams!
Sportstake has been one of the best platforms for soccer lovers to test their football knowledge by matching the results of 12 matches. But will there be any additions of sports codes in the Sportstake family?
"There are long term plans to add features to Sportstake however on the issue of adding more sports codes to this game - unfortunately cricket and rugby do not lend themselves well to the lotto format for which Ithuba is licensed for. The lottery is very different to sports betting so some games would not be appropriate. The idea of the game is to pick a home win, an away win or a draw - in some of these sporting codes this would not happen very often and would just not fit the lotto model of instant wins," she divulged.
Mrs Mabuza reiterated that Ithuba will investigate the feasibility of running Sportstake daily as game design is highly influenced by market popularity.
The future is, however, bright as Ithuba intends bringing new games that all South Africans will be able to relate to. Exciting promotions and big prizes will also be up for grabs.
"South Africans can look forward to new games that South Africans will be able to relate to. This will be a South African lottery designed for South African's - consumers can look forward to local nuances in game design. Secondly, consumers can look forward to winning big - there will be bigger prize payouts and a selection of prizes won more frequently and much more to come. Our marketing campaign will launch these exciting changes in due course - look out for these," lamented the CEO.
Punters will undoubtedly be salivating like children on Christmas day while the chicken roasts in the oven, and hoping June comes soon. As the long wait looms, Ithuba has promised to change the landscape and experience of the National Lottery for the better.
But just who are Ithuba and what do they stand for? Mrs Mabuza explained the company's history and growth.
"The South African Lottery provides an environment within which to unite national hopes, dreams and social development. Such an environment requires structure, progressive leadership, good governance and effective management. These imperatives were the driving force behind the creation of Ithuba.
"It is a South African company founded by the Zamani Equity Fund which through Zamani Gaming attracted a consortium of investors which created Ithuba Holdings - the new licence holder of the national lottery. Ithuba views it as an honour to be given an opportunity to reinvigorate and reenergise the national lottery; grow the lottery; foster pride in the lottery brand and introduce higher levels of service to local communities than ever before. Ithuba literally means “an opportunity”, one that promises to change the landscape and experience of the National Lottery for the better," she concluded.
So if you are an avid Lotto, Lotto Plus, Powerball and Sportstake player, and you regularly play your favourite lotteries every week, there's every chance that one day soon you'll hit the jackpot, and hit it big.
When that day gets here, how crazy would you go with your lotto winnings?
The glowing speckle in any punters eye screams 'millions'. While some drool in dreams, a vast majority stake up their chances of becoming millionaires one day by playing Lotto.
From the first of June Gidani will be handing over the National Lottery reigns to Ithuba. Ithuba has relatively pledged to give their customers an exciting global experience. But what realy are they going to bring on board?
The AmazingAfrika blog tracked down Ithuba CEO, Mrs Charmaine Mabuza for an exclusive interview to find out more about the company that will soon be unearthing millionaires and uplifting communities.
A sigh of relief for punters is that all Lotto, Lotto Plus, Powerball and Sportstake ticket prices will remain the same at launch.
"At launch all prices will remain the same for Lotto, Lotto Plus, Powerball and Sportstake. There are plans to add on more games and to increase jackpot prizes - to effect higher prize payouts, this may inevitably have an effect on prices. At this stage though all prices will remain the same," said Mrs Mabuza.
Lotto, Lotto Plus and Powerball tickets cost R3.50 a board. If you're lucky enough to match all winning numbers, the rewards are worth a whole lot more - like a jackpot big enough to realise your wildest dreams!
Sportstake has been one of the best platforms for soccer lovers to test their football knowledge by matching the results of 12 matches. But will there be any additions of sports codes in the Sportstake family?
"There are long term plans to add features to Sportstake however on the issue of adding more sports codes to this game - unfortunately cricket and rugby do not lend themselves well to the lotto format for which Ithuba is licensed for. The lottery is very different to sports betting so some games would not be appropriate. The idea of the game is to pick a home win, an away win or a draw - in some of these sporting codes this would not happen very often and would just not fit the lotto model of instant wins," she divulged.
Mrs Mabuza reiterated that Ithuba will investigate the feasibility of running Sportstake daily as game design is highly influenced by market popularity.
The future is, however, bright as Ithuba intends bringing new games that all South Africans will be able to relate to. Exciting promotions and big prizes will also be up for grabs.
"South Africans can look forward to new games that South Africans will be able to relate to. This will be a South African lottery designed for South African's - consumers can look forward to local nuances in game design. Secondly, consumers can look forward to winning big - there will be bigger prize payouts and a selection of prizes won more frequently and much more to come. Our marketing campaign will launch these exciting changes in due course - look out for these," lamented the CEO.
Punters will undoubtedly be salivating like children on Christmas day while the chicken roasts in the oven, and hoping June comes soon. As the long wait looms, Ithuba has promised to change the landscape and experience of the National Lottery for the better.
But just who are Ithuba and what do they stand for? Mrs Mabuza explained the company's history and growth.
"The South African Lottery provides an environment within which to unite national hopes, dreams and social development. Such an environment requires structure, progressive leadership, good governance and effective management. These imperatives were the driving force behind the creation of Ithuba.
"It is a South African company founded by the Zamani Equity Fund which through Zamani Gaming attracted a consortium of investors which created Ithuba Holdings - the new licence holder of the national lottery. Ithuba views it as an honour to be given an opportunity to reinvigorate and reenergise the national lottery; grow the lottery; foster pride in the lottery brand and introduce higher levels of service to local communities than ever before. Ithuba literally means “an opportunity”, one that promises to change the landscape and experience of the National Lottery for the better," she concluded.
So if you are an avid Lotto, Lotto Plus, Powerball and Sportstake player, and you regularly play your favourite lotteries every week, there's every chance that one day soon you'll hit the jackpot, and hit it big.
When that day gets here, how crazy would you go with your lotto winnings?
