EXPLAINER | What is ‘MP1’ – and is it worth paying extra for?
· The South African
Since Sizekhaya took over as South Africa’s National Lottery operator, one new feature appeared on Lotto tickets and results pages that may have confused some players: MP1, or Multiplay.
While it’s mentioned alongside several National Lottery games, players may still be unsure what it actually does and whether it’s worth paying extra for.
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What is MP1?
MP1 stands for Multiplay, a feature that allows players to select one additional number beyond the standard number selection for certain National Lottery games.
On Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto 5 Max, players normally choose six numbers.
With MP1, you select a seventh number, and the system automatically generates every possible six-number combination from those seven numbers.
The feature is also available on PowerBall and Daily Lotto, using the same principle based on each game’s number format, but at six-times the ticket price.
Why does MP1 cost seven times more?
The pricing is based on mathematics rather than an added premium.
When you choose seven numbers instead of six, there are seven unique six-number combinations that can be created from your selection.
Instead of completing seven separate play slips, MP1 automatically enters all seven combinations for you on a single ticket.
For example:
- Standard Lotto board: 6 numbers = 1 combination
- MP1 Lotto board: 7 numbers = 7 combinations
Because you’re effectively buying seven entries, the ticket costs seven times the standard price.
With a standard Lotto board costing R5, selecting MP1 increases the cost to R35.
Does MP1 improve your chances?
Not in the way many people assume.
MP1 does not make any individual combination more likely to win. Every six-number combination still has exactly the same odds of matching the winning numbers.
What MP1 does is increase the number of combinations you’re playing without requiring multiple separate entries.
In other words, you’re buying broader coverage – not improving the odds of any single ticket.
Is MP1 worth it?
That depends on how you normally play.
MP1 may appeal to players who already purchase several Lotto boards, as it offers a more convenient way to cover multiple combinations on a single play slip.
However, it is not a shortcut to better odds or a guaranteed way to improve your chances of winning the jackpot. It simply bundles multiple entries into one ticket while charging the equivalent cost of those individual combinations.
For players on a tighter budget, buying a standard Lotto board remains the most cost-effective option, while MP1 is better suited to those who already intend to spend more on multiple entries.
I’ll admit, MP1 Lotto explained or not, it took me a few reads to fully wrap my head around, so you’re not alone if the fine print left you scratching your head.
Have you tried MP1 yet, or are you sticking to the standard six?
Let us know in the comments below …
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