What is UK 49s in South Africa?
UK 49s is the most-bet Lucky Numbers market in South Africa. The underlying draw is run by 49s Ltd in the United Kingdom and produces six main balls plus a Booster Ball, all drawn from a pool of 1–49. SA bookmakers — led by ZarBet and BetBus — sell fixed-odds bets on those numbers, which is what makes UK 49s a betting product (regulated by the National Gambling Board), not a lottery.
You are not buying a ticket. You are not pooling stakes. You bet that one or more numbers will appear in the draw, at a price the bookmaker sets before the draw starts. Win or lose, the payout you would receive is known the moment you click "place bet".
When does the UK 49s draw happen?
Two draws every day, all year. SA bookmakers convert UK times to South Africa Standard Time (SAST) and many also offer two extra unofficial draws.
| Draw | UK time | SAST (GMT+2) | Days |
|---|
| Lunchtime | ~12:49 GMT | ~14:49 | Daily |
| Teatime | ~17:49 GMT | ~19:49 | Daily |
A handful of SA-specific operators (e.g. Bet49s on the bet49s.co.za results page) also list "Brunchtime" (12:49 SAST) and "Drivetime" (17:49 SAST), which are convenience-only feeds and not the official UK draw.
How UK 49s betting works at South African bookmakers
The single most important point: at every NGB-licensed SA bookmaker you pick how many numbers you want to play (1 to 6) and the payout is fixed before the draw.
A typical South African Lucky Numbers payout table for UK 49s 6-ball draws looks like this (afternoon and evening draws are priced identically):
| Numbers picked | Fractional odds | R10 stake pays |
|---|
| 1 number | 11/2 | R55 |
| 2 numbers | 52/1 | R520 |
| 3 numbers | 400/1 | R4 000 |
| 4 numbers | 4 000/1 | R40 000 |
| 5 numbers | 25 000/1 | R250 000 |
| 6 numbers | 100 000/1 | R1 million+ |
Source: Hollywoodbets Lucky Numbers UK 49s payout table, blog.hollywoodbets.net.
Other operators publish similar tables, with small differences in the prices for 4-, 5- and 6-number bets. Always compare before you place a serious stake.
Bet types available on UK 49s in SA
Beyond the headline "pick N numbers" bet, the major SA bookmakers offer:
- 6-ball vs 7-ball draws. "6-ball" excludes the Booster Ball from your bet; "7-ball" includes it. Payouts on 6-ball are higher because there are fewer winning numbers in the pool.
- Singles, doubles, trebles. Bet on a specific number being drawn 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
- Banker bets. Pick one number that must be drawn, then combine with multiple "any" picks.
- Totals. Bet on whether the sum of all six main balls is odd or even, or above/below a set total.
- Highest / lowest ball. Bet on which ball will be the highest- or lowest-numbered one drawn.
- Bonus Ball specifics. Bet on whether the Bonus Ball will be in a particular range, or a specific number.
The more exotic the bet, the wider the bookmaker's margin tends to be — so for serious players the single-number and double markets are usually the best value.
UK 49s "hot" and "cold" numbers — what they really mean
Every UK 49s blog, app and bookmaker page shows hot (frequently drawn) and cold (overdue) numbers. They are not predictions. UK 49s draws are independent events — the probability of each ball being drawn is the same in every single draw.
Hot / cold tables are useful as a fun starting point for picking numbers you would otherwise have no opinion on, and as a way of avoiding accidentally picking the same numbers every time. They are not a strategy for beating the bookmaker margin.
Useful sources for recent results:
Where to bet on UK 49s in South Africa
The most popular SA bookmakers for UK 49s, in our recommended order:
- ZarBet — the dominant Lucky Numbers operator in South Africa. Most draws, fastest results display, deepest market on bonus-ball and banker bets.
- BetBus — strong on 1-number and 2-number Lunchtime / Teatime markets, plus often the best price on totals and odd-even.
See the full bookmaker comparison on our best betting sites in South Africa page.
UK 49s betting tips for South African players
- Stick to single and double picks for most stakes. The variance on 3+ number picks is brutal — fun, but bankroll-destroying if you chase wins.
- Compare prices before placing 3+ number bets. The bookmaker margin on these tickets varies meaningfully across SA operators.
- Treat hot / cold tables as a number-picking aid, not a strategy. Each draw is independent.
- Set a daily Lucky Numbers budget. UK 49s runs twice a day, every day — easy to overspend over a month if you don't.
- Use the player-protection tools. Every NGB-licensed bookmaker is required to offer deposit limits, time limits and self-exclusion. See our Responsible Gambling page.
UK 49s FAQ
What time is the UK 49s draw in South Africa?
Lunchtime draw is at approximately 14:49 SAST and Teatime at approximately 19:49 SAST, every day of the year.
Where can I bet on UK 49s in South Africa?
At any NGB-licensed SA bookmaker. For UK 49s we rate ZarBet — our top pick for Lucky Numbers — with BetBus a solid alternative. Our overall top two are Hollywoodbets and PantherBet; see the best betting sites in South Africa ranking.
What is the maximum UK 49s payout?
A typical 6-number pick pays 100 000/1 — R10 returns R1 million on a 6-from-6. Headline payouts are similar across operators, but read the bookmaker's full terms.
Is UK 49s legal in South Africa?
Yes. It is a fixed-odds betting product offered by NGB-licensed bookmakers and regulated by the National Gambling Board. It is not a lottery.
Related Lucky Numbers guides
Odds and payouts correct at time of writing. T&Cs apply. 18+ only. Gambling involves financial risk. UK 49s predictions are for entertainment only. If gambling is no longer fun, contact the National Responsible Gambling helpline on 0800 006 008 or SMS HELP to 076 675 0710.
