How to Read a Lotto Ticket NZ and Check Your Numbers

The one number that matters most: the draw number

When you look at your Lotto ticket, the first thing to spot is the draw number. This number tells you exactly which Lotto draw your ticket is entered into. For example, the most recent draw was number 2625, held on 30 September 2026. Each draw is unique and has its own set of winning numbers. Without the draw number, it’s impossible to know if your ticket matches the right draw.

The draw number is usually printed clearly near the top or side of the ticket. Make sure this matches the draw you want to check. Remember, in New Zealand Lotto, draws happen twice a week — on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets must be bought before the cut-off time, which is usually about 7:25 to 7:30pm on the night of the draw.

If you want to know more about when draws happen and the cut-off times, you can read about draw times and the cut-off.

Your lines and what a line costs

A Lotto ticket contains one or more lines, sometimes called sets of numbers. Each line is a chance to win, and the number of lines will affect the total cost of your ticket. In New Zealand Lotto, each line costs 70 cents ($0.70).

Lines are sold in multiples of four, so you can only buy tickets with 4, 8, 12 lines and so on. This means your ticket price will be $2.80 for 4 lines, $5.60 for 8 lines, and so forth.

Your ticket will show the number of lines you have played, usually in a clear spot next to where the lines themselves are printed. Checking this helps you keep track of how many chances you have in the draw.

To see the full journey of a ticket and how it’s processed, visit the journey a ticket takes.

The main numbers, the bonus ball and the Powerball column

Each Lotto line on your ticket has six main numbers. These are the numbers you select or the system picks for you. The latest winning main numbers were 1, 8, 19, 23, 25, and 30. You will see the numbers you played printed in rows on your ticket.

There is also a bonus ball number, which is the seventh ball drawn from the main machine. This number, 7 in the last draw, is not chosen by players. It only upgrades a line that already matches five main numbers, boosting your prize.

Apart from the main numbers and bonus ball, some tickets include a Powerball column. The Powerball is a separate game you can add for an extra 80 cents per line. It features its own number, 7 in the most recent draw, and offers bigger prizes but with much longer odds — about 1 in 53,737,320 for the top prize.

Your ticket will show the Powerball number separately, often in a column marked clearly. If you’ve paid for Powerball, make sure to check this number alongside your main numbers.

Where the price and the draw day are printed

Your ticket will also show the total price you paid. This is calculated by multiplying the number of lines by 70 cents, plus any extras like Powerball or Strike, which cost an extra $0.80 and $1.00 per line respectively.

The draw day is printed clearly too, so you know if the ticket is for the Wednesday or Saturday draw. These are the only two draw days for Lotto in New Zealand. This information helps you make sure you’re checking your ticket against the right draw.

If you want to know what to do what happens if you win, it’s good to check these details carefully.

How to check a ticket properly

When the winning numbers come out, either online or at a store, you’ll want to check your ticket lines against them. Look at the draw number first to confirm it’s the right draw. Then, compare each line’s six main numbers to the winning numbers.

If you have a bonus ball, remember it only upgrades prizes for lines that already match five main numbers. It is not a number you choose or use to win on its own.

If you played Powerball, check your Powerball number against the winning Powerball. Remember, Powerball is a different game on the same ticket and needs to match to win those big prizes.

For older tickets, or if you want a safe step-by-step guide, see the safe way to check an old ticket.

What the in-store scanner does

When you take your ticket to a Lotto retailer, they can scan it to check if it’s a winner. The scanner quickly reads the draw number, lines, and any extras like Powerball.

If the prize is $1000 or less, the retailer can usually pay you immediately. For prizes above $1000, you’ll need to fill out a claim form and claim your prize from the Lottery office.

The scanner also locks the terminal above $5000 prize amounts to avoid mistakes.

Keep in mind that your claim window is 12 months from the draw date, so check your tickets in time.

If you lose your ticket, it’s important to know what happens if you lose the ticket.

Checking lotto tickets is simple once you know what each part means. Your ticket holds all the information you need to find out if you’ve won — just look carefully at the draw number, your lines, main numbers, bonus ball, Powerball, price, and the draw day.

If gambling stops being fun, free support is available from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655.