Playing Lotto online in New Zealand is quick and convenient — but only one platform is the real thing. This guide covers how to play through MyLotto, what you can play, how the wallet and limits work, and how to steer clear of unofficial sites.
The only official platform: MyLotto
In New Zealand, the sole authorised way to buy Lotto tickets online is MyLotto, the official website and app run by Lotto NZ. There’s no “best site to choose” and no marketplace of competing platforms — it’s MyLotto or an in-store retailer. To play online you need to be 18 or over and physically located in New Zealand.
All through the official MyLotto site or app.Playing Lotto online, step by step
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The process is straightforward: create an account, add funds to your wallet, choose your game and numbers (or take a Dip for a random selection), and confirm. One of the real conveniences of playing online is that your entries are checked automatically after each draw — you don’t need to scan anything, and any prize is credited straight to your wallet. Our how to play Lotto guide covers the games themselves in more detail.
What you can play online
Everything in the Lotto NZ range is available through MyLotto: the main Lotto draw (Wednesdays and Saturdays), the Powerball and Strike add-ons, plus Keno, Bullseye and Instant Kiwi online games. You can also buy multi-draw tickets to enter the same numbers into several consecutive draws, and save favourite lines to replay.
The MyLotto wallet and deposit limits
Playing online uses a wallet system — you top it up, and tickets are paid for from your balance.
Built-in caps help keep spending in check.The MyLotto wallet & deposit limits
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There’s a $1 minimum top-up, a $150 maximum single top-up, and a $150 rolling limit over any seven-day period. These built-in caps exist to keep online spending modest, and you can set your own, lower deposit limits at any time — along with taking a break or self-excluding — through your account settings. It’s one of the genuine advantages of the official platform: the responsible-gambling tools are built in.
Official vs unofficial: how to stay safe
This matters, because some websites advertise access to NZ Lotto (or “international lotteries”) without being the official operator.
Only one option is the real, official NZ platform.Official MyLotto vs “lottery agent” sites
MyLotto (official)
Third-party / offshore “agents”
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Third-party “lottery agent” or “courier” sites are not Lotto NZ. In some cases you’re not even buying a real ticket — you’re placing a bet on the outcome with an overseas company — and prize payment, fees and consumer protection can all be murky. A simple rule of thumb: if a site claims you can play NZ Lotto from anywhere in the world, it isn’t the official one. Official online play requires you to be in New Zealand, on MyLotto.
The odds don’t change online
It’s worth being clear about one thing, because a lot of “play online and win” advice suggests otherwise: playing online doesn’t improve your chances. The odds of winning the Lotto jackpot are about 1 in 3,838,380 per line whether you play online or in-store, and no method of choosing numbers changes that. Buying more lines or joining a syndicate gives you more entries, but it also costs more, and any syndicate win is split among the group. Quick Pick and self-selected numbers have identical odds. For the full picture, see our odds of winning guide.
Prizes and the divisions
Lotto pays out across seven prize divisions, from matching three numbers up to the Division 1 jackpot for all six main numbers. When you play online, prizes are credited to your wallet automatically (larger amounts follow a claim process), and you have 12 months to claim. Our guides on how many numbers you need to win and claiming winnings explain the divisions and payouts.
Playing responsibly online
Online play is convenient, which is exactly why a budget matters. Because it’s quick and always available, it can be easier to spend more than you meant to. Set a deposit limit you’re comfortable with, treat Lotto as entertainment rather than a way to make money, and use the account tools if you ever need a break. If it stops being fun, free and confidential support is available any time.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only. It does not encourage anyone to gamble, buy lottery tickets, or spend money on any product, and it is not financial, legal or professional advice. Lotto is a game of chance with a negative expected return, and playing online does not improve your odds. Rules, limits and features change — always confirm the current details with Lotto New Zealand at mylotto.co.nz before acting on anything here.
You must be 18 or over, and in New Zealand, to buy or claim lottery products online. If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free 24/7 support is available from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or by texting 8006, from Safer Gambling Aotearoa, and from PGF Services on 0800 664 262. Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The MyLotto app: features and security
MyLotto is available as both a website and a free app for iOS and Android, and the app adds a few things the desktop site can’t. You can scan a paper ticket with your phone’s camera to check it instantly against the latest draw, rather than reading numbers off by hand. You can turn on push notifications for draw results, jackpot rollovers and big wins, so you’re told automatically instead of having to check. The app also lets you save favourite lines to replay, buy multi-draw entries, and review your account and transaction history in one place.
On security, MyLotto login is protected by the same account safeguards as the website, including options such as two-factor verification, and all payment and personal data is transmitted over an encrypted connection. Because your account, wallet and entries all sit behind that login, keeping your password private and enabling any available extra verification is worth doing. Our Lotto scanner guide walks through ticket checking in the app step by step.
How paying and verifying works online
Playing online means funding your MyLotto wallet first, then paying for entries from that balance. Top-ups are made by debit or credit card, and prizes and refunds are returned to the same wallet. As part of setting up and funding an account, Lotto NZ verifies that you are 18 or over and located in New Zealand — the checks that keep official online play separate from the offshore “agent” sites covered above. This is also why an online win can be paid back into your wallet automatically: your identity and eligibility were confirmed when you funded the ticket, so smaller prizes need no separate claim. Larger amounts still follow a claim process, as set out in our claiming winnings guide.
Sources used to research and fact-check this article. Last checked 14 August 2026.Reference sources
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FAQ
How do I play Lotto online in NZ?
Create a MyLotto account on the official Lotto NZ site or app, top up your wallet, choose your game and numbers (or a Dip), and confirm. You must be 18 or over and in New Zealand.
Is MyLotto the only official way to play online?
Yes. MyLotto is the only authorised platform for buying NZ Lotto tickets online. Other “lottery agent” or offshore sites are not the official operator.
Can I play NZ Lotto online from overseas?
No. Official online play requires you to be physically in New Zealand. Any site claiming to let you play NZ Lotto from anywhere in the world is not official.
Are there limits on how much I can deposit?
Yes. There’s a $1 minimum and $150 maximum single top-up, and a $150 rolling limit over any seven days. You can also set your own lower deposit limits.
Do I need to check my online tickets?
No. Online entries are checked automatically after each draw, and any prize is credited to your MyLotto wallet.
Does playing online improve my chances of winning?
No. The odds are the same online or in-store — about 1 in 3,838,380 for the jackpot — and no number-selection method changes them.