ITHUBA rejects ‘false’ claims of delayed lottery payments
· The South African
Former National Lottery operator ITHUBA has strongly denied allegations that delays in the payment of lottery winnings are due to information not being provided during the handover to South Africa’s new lottery operator.
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In a statement issued on Thursday, ITHUBA said recent public comments attributed to a spokesperson for the new operator, published in media reports on 3 and 4 June 2026, were inaccurate and misleading.
Rejected suggestions
The company rejected any suggestion that it had failed to provide the information necessary to facilitate prize payments for winning tickets purchased during its tenure as operator.
According to ITHUBA, all required operational data and records were submitted to both the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and the new operator on 1 June 2026 as part of the agreed transition process.
“Receipt of all records, including details relating to winning tickets pending payment, was acknowledged by both parties,” the company said.
ITHUBA further stated that all information was delivered on the agreed date, in the agreed format and through the agreed communication channels.
Ready to begin processing outstanding prize payments
The company noted that the new operator had publicly indicated it would be ready to begin processing outstanding prize payments from 4 June 2026.
“Having provided this assurance to participants, it is noteworthy that allegations regarding purported data issues only surfaced publicly on the very day payments were due to commence,” ITHUBA said.
The former operator argued that the facts suggest any delays are not the result of unavailable information, but rather challenges linked to the new operator’s operational readiness.
“The facts indicate that any delays in processing winnings are not the result of unavailable information, but rather challenges relating to the new operator’s operational preparedness to facilitate prize payments,” the statement added.
Fully complied
ITHUBA said it had complied fully with all directives, requirements and obligations set by the National Lotteries Commission throughout the transition process.
The company also highlighted what it described as its strong record of regulatory compliance during its years as operator of the National Lottery.
“We remain proud of our clean record of regulatory compliance and our commitment to protecting the interests of National Lottery participants right until the conclusion of our licence,” the company said.
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