What is Greece Powerball?
Greece Powerball is the South African name for Joker, Greece's official national lottery draw — and one of the most-searched Lucky Numbers markets in the country. Three evenings a week, the draw run by OPAP (the Greek lottery operator) produces five main balls from 1–45 plus a Joker ball from a separate 1–20 pool, and licensed SA bookmakers price fixed-odds bets on the outcome in rand.
The appeal is the schedule: with draws every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, Greece Powerball fills the evenings UK 49s punters would otherwise spend waiting — and the 45-ball pool is one of the friendlier ones among the big international draws.
As always with Lucky Numbers: you are not buying a Greek lottery ticket. You place a bet with an NGB-licensed South African bookmaker on which numbers the draw will produce, and your payout is fixed on the slip before you confirm — no prize pools, no sharing.
When is the Greece Powerball draw in South Africa?
The draw takes place at 22:00 Greek time. Greece shifts its clocks for daylight saving and South Africa does not, so the SAST time moves twice a year:
| Period | Draw time (SAST) | Days |
|---|
| Late March – late October | 21:00 | Tue · Thu · Sun |
| Late October – late March | 22:00 | Tue · Thu · Sun |
Bookmakers close betting shortly before the draw — the countdown on your bookmaker's Lucky Numbers page is the one to trust.
One thing to watch: some SA results feeds also list "Greece morning" or "Greece afternoon" draws. Those are separate bookmaker draws, not the official OPAP Joker — a bit like UK 49s' unofficial extra draws. If you want the draw this page covers, look for the evening Joker 5/45 market.
How Greece Powerball betting works at SA bookmakers
The two-drum format gives you a full menu of fixed-odds markets:
- Main-number picks (1 to 4 numbers). The classic Lucky Numbers bet — one number appearing is the entry point, and every added number multiplies both the payout and the challenge.
- The Joker ball. Drawn from a pool of just 1–20, this is the shortest-odds pick on the page and the one that lands most often.
- Joker high/low. YesPlay also prices whether the Joker lands 1–10 or 11–20 — a coin-flip-style market for lighter sessions.
- Combinations. Up to three main numbers plus the Joker on one slip for the bigger prices.
For context on why fixed-odds betting is the way South Africans play this draw: matching all five numbers plus the Joker in the official lottery is a roughly 1-in-24.4-million shot. Betting lets you back just one or two numbers instead — wins land far more often, and the price is locked in up front.
Odds correct at time of writing. T&Cs apply.
Where to bet on Greece Powerball in South Africa
- Hollywoodbets — Greek draws sit in the country's biggest Lucky Numbers lobby (3,000+ draws), next to the results hub most punters check.
- YesPlay — a dedicated Greece Joker 5/45 page with live results, bets on up to 4 numbers plus the Joker, and the high/low Joker market.
Both are licensed South African operators paying out in ZAR. Compare the field on our best betting sites in South Africa page.
Greece Powerball betting tips
- The Joker ball is the friendliest market. A 1–20 pool beats picking from 45 — it is the natural first bet on this draw.
- Keep combinations for the fun end of the slip. Three- and four-number tickets pay big and land rarely; singles and doubles keep sessions alive.
- Confirm you're on the official draw. The evening Joker 5/45 is the real OPAP draw; morning/afternoon "Greece" feeds are bookmaker extras with their own results.
- Three draws a week sets your rhythm. Fix a per-draw stake and stick to it — every price includes the bookmaker's margin, so play it as entertainment with a payout attached.
- The safety net is built in. Deposit limits and self-exclusion are standard at every NGB-licensed bookmaker — see our Responsible Gambling page.
Greece Powerball FAQ
What time is the Greece Powerball draw in South Africa?
21:00 SAST from late March to late October, and 22:00 SAST the rest of the year (the draw is fixed at 22:00 in Greece; the SAST time shifts because Greece observes daylight saving and SA does not). Draws are on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Where can I bet on Greece Powerball in South Africa?
At licensed SA bookmakers — YesPlay runs a dedicated Greece Joker 5/45 market and Hollywoodbets carries Greek draws in its Lucky Numbers lobby.
How many balls does Greece Powerball have?
Five main balls drawn from 1–45, plus one Joker ball drawn from a separate 1–20 pool.
Is Greece Powerball the same as the Greek Joker?
Yes — "Greece Powerball" is simply the name South African punters use for OPAP's official Joker draw.
Is betting on Greece Powerball legal in South Africa?
Yes. It is a fixed-odds betting product offered by NGB-licensed bookmakers, regulated the same way as UK 49s betting. 18+ only.
Related Lucky Numbers guides
Odds and payouts correct at time of writing. T&Cs apply. 18+ only. Gambling involves financial risk. If gambling is no longer fun, contact the National Responsible Gambling helpline on 0800 006 008 or SMS HELP to 076 675 0710.
