The National Lottery operator, Ithuba, has issued a firm rebuttal against a wave of social media allegations questioning the legitimacy of its winners and the integrity of its draws, calling the claims “misleading” and “factually incorrect.”
The controversy, which has spread across various platforms, alleges that the lottery’s outcomes are manipulated and that winners are pre-selected, often specifically from certain banking institutions.
In a televised interview, Ithuba moved to reassure the South African public that every draw is conducted under the “strictest levels of oversight.” The company emphasized that a combination of independent auditors, advanced security systems, and regulatory oversight from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) makes it “impossible to predict or influence the outcomes.”
Michelle van Trottensburg, Ithuba’s Head of Corporate Services and Marketing, was brought on air to directly address the growing public concern. She stated unequivocally, “There’s absolutely no truth to these rumors,” attributing the misinformation to the “faceless” nature of social media.
Addressing Key Allegations
When asked about claims from purported former employees, van Trottensburg confirmed the company would consider legal consultation but stated their primary focus was on reassuring the public and regaining trust damaged by “slanderous comments.”
A significant part of the social media criticism focused on the timing between the close of ticket sales and the broadcast of the draw, as well as the shift from physical ball machines to a Random Number Generator (RNG) system.
van Trottensburg explained that a 30-minute gap has always existed to allow for logistical preparation. She vigorously defended the RNG system, stating it is “more effective in terms of security” and is the international standard used by major lotteries, including the UK Lottery, and is certified by global gambling authorities.
“There is no human intervention,” van Trottensburg said. “The numbers are generated… and we do not know what winners there are at that very moment in time.”
Denying Collusion with Banks
The operator also directly addressed allegations of colluding with banks like FNB and Absa, explaining that these banks were early ticket retailers, naturally leading to a higher number of winners from their platforms.
“It illustrates that there are winners from FNB and Absa. Absolutely. But there’s winners from all the rest of the other banks too,” van Trottensburg said, citing the country’s largest-ever R232 million Powerball winner, who purchased their ticket at a retail store in Cape Town.
Transparency Process Detailed
To allay fears, van Trottensburg detailed the rigorous draw process: a locked draw center with no cell phones, a dedicated team, and the constant presence of independent auditors and NLC regulators. She highlighted that the entire verification process happens only after the numbers are broadcast, confirming that winners are not chosen but are determined purely by chance.
Despite the allegations, Ithuba insists the National Lottery remains a game built on “transparency, accountability, and integrity.” The company has created over 500 multi-millionaires since it began its tenure in 2015 and urges participants not to “entertain everything you read and see on social media.”