Lottobutler Exposed — Serving Up South African Lotteries
Only for South Africans at Lottobutler
Looking at Lottobutler, this online lottery site seems so clean. There’s nothing flashing, windows popping open or lines of information zipping by. Its simple format is so straight forward. But then, it does only offer two lottery games – South African. And you must be South African to play here. Let’s go take a look.
Lottobutler’s Games
Lottobutler.co.za is an online lottery provider for two South African lotteries, Powerball and Lotto. Lotto has an added game of ‘Lotto Plus’ which rolls your Lotto numbers into an additional draw. Players have a choice to play individual tickets (minimum 10) or use a subscription service.
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Diamond
There are four monthly subscription packages. Bronzes play a single ticket for South Africa’s Powerball and Lotto for each draw. Silver has two lottery tickets plus they add LottoPlus. Gold has five lottery tickets plus LottoPlus. Diamond has ten for each draw with LottoPlus. Lottery tickets can be chosen (meaning your favorites) or you can use the quick pick option. Gold and Diamond adds VIP competitions to their services. Diamond adds a dedicated account manager. If you decide to opt to play a subscription, the monthly cost is automatically adjusted.
Winning at Lotto Butler
I like the use of the term “online wallet” at Lottobutler.co.za. It makes us think of money. Winnings below Rand 2,000 (about USD 160) go straight into your “online wallet”. Winnings between R2,000 up to 50,000 can be received at any South African Post Office. Lottobutler will do it for you but you need to provide ID (South African) and three months’ worth of bank statements. Winnings over R50,000 (estimated USD 4,000) must be claimed directly at one of the National Lottery offices. Lottobutler will provide transportation as long as you are within 100 km of one of these offices. Lottobutler takes no commission.
Taxes?
Though the Minister of Finance announced from 2012 winnings over Rand 25,000 would incur a 15% withholding tax, this has not been implemented, so South African lotteries remain tax-free.
Customer Service at Lottobutler.co.za
Lottobutler has a snail mail address in Cape Town, telephone and fax number, email address, and online form. There is no information on when they are actually available or how quickly they will respond. We’re still waiting!
The Bottom Line at Lottobutler.co.za
If you are a South African and in South Africa with a South African bank account and you don’t feel like walking down to the corner store to buy your lottery tickets, then this is the site for you. Tickets are at face value and one way not to miss a draw is to take out a subscription.
Pros:
Subscriptions
No Commission
No Taxes
Cons:
Only for South Africans
Only South African Lotteries
Must have a South African Bank Account
Lottobutler gets a thumbs up for South Africans and a thumbs down for the rest of the world. Playing through their subscription services is one way you will never miss a draw or lose your ticket!
