The bonus ball is one of the most misunderstood parts of New Zealand Lotto. It is the reason some tickets win a bigger prize than a player expects, and it is also a common source of disappointment when people assume it should have completed their jackpot.
This guide explains, in plain language, what the bonus ball is, which prize divisions it unlocks, the odds involved, how it is drawn, and the one thing it can never do.
What the bonus ball is
New Zealand Lotto is played on a pool of 40 numbered balls. In every draw, six main balls are selected first. A seventh ball — the bonus ball — is then drawn from the 34 balls that remain. A division is simply a prize tier: the more numbers your line matches, the higher the division and the larger the prize.
You never choose a bonus number and you never pay anything extra for it. Every standard Lotto line you play is automatically checked against the bonus ball, so it works quietly in the background on every ticket.
Which prizes the bonus ball unlocks
The bonus ball’s only job is to lift certain near-miss results into a higher prize tier. It matters in three of Lotto’s seven divisions — Divisions 2, 4 and 6, always the even-numbered ones. Lotto NZ publishes the full rules, divisions and odds on its official site (Lotto NZ (MyLotto) — official Lotto rules, divisions and odds).
Where the bonus ball counts
| Division | You match | Odds (per line) |
|---|---|---|
| Division 2 | 5 main numbers + bonus ball | 1 in 639,730 |
| Division 4 | 4 main numbers + bonus ball | 1 in 7,754 |
| Division 6 | 3 main numbers + bonus ball | 1 in 363 |
The bonus ball only matters in these three divisions. It never counts toward Division 1, which needs all six main numbers.
In each case the bonus ball is what separates that prize from the plain “matched X numbers” division just below it. Match five main numbers plus the bonus ball and you reach Division 2; four main plus the bonus is Division 4; three main plus the bonus is Division 6. For the complete picture of all seven tiers and what each pays, see our guide on how many numbers you need to win Lotto.
The one thing the bonus ball can’t do
Here is the point that catches people out: the bonus ball can never win you the jackpot.
Division 1 — the top prize, which starts at a guaranteed $1 million — requires all six main numbers. If you match five main numbers and the bonus ball, it can feel as though you were one ball away from the jackpot, but that result is Division 2, not first prize. The bonus ball only ever lifts you into the even-numbered divisions; it is never a substitute for a main number in Division 1. Our odds of winning Lotto guide puts those chances in context.
Where the bonus ball fits among the games
The bonus ball is part of the core Lotto game, so it applies whenever you play a standard Lotto line. It sits alongside the optional add-ons rather than replacing them. Powerball adds a separate number for the big jackpots — and from 13 September 2026 Powerball is drawn from an expanded pool of 1–14, with an extra lower division and a higher maximum jackpot of $60 million (Lotto NZ — Powerball changes from 13 September 2026). Strike is a separate order-based game. The bonus ball, by contrast, needs no opt-in — it is simply part of how every Lotto ticket is checked. For a walk-through of how a ticket is built, see our beginner’s guide to playing Lotto, and for wider background there is an overview at Wikipedia — Lotto New Zealand (matrix, Strike, physical draws).
How the bonus ball is drawn fairly
Because the bonus ball decides real prizes, it is drawn to exactly the same standard as the main numbers. NZ Lotto draws are physical ball draws, not computer-generated. Secured ball sets and machines are used, a coin toss overseen by an independent scrutineer decides which machine and ball set are used, the balls are washed and weighed on a strict schedule, and scrutineers from Audit New Zealand attend every draw — including those that are not televised. You can read Lotto’s own explanation of the process in the Lotto NZ FAQ — draws use physical ball machines with Audit NZ scrutineers.
Claiming a bonus-ball prize
A prize won with the bonus ball is claimed like any other Lotto prize. Amounts of $1,000 or less can be paid out at any Lotto outlet or credited to your MyLotto wallet. For prizes above $1,000 you complete a Prize Claim Form and the money is paid to your bank account. As with all New Zealand lottery prizes, winnings are tax-free, and you have 12 months from the draw date to claim before an unclaimed prize returns to the prize pool. Our guide on how to claim Lotto winnings in NZ covers the full process.
A quick reality check
The bonus ball adds extra chances to win, but it does not change the fundamentals. Lotto is a game of chance, the odds of the top divisions are very long, and nothing you do when choosing numbers affects whether the bonus ball lands in your favour. It is best treated as a pleasant extra when it happens rather than something to chase. Safer Gambling Aotearoa’s guide to how Lotto works and the odds is a useful, neutral reference. Set a budget, play within it, and keep it fun.
Key facts about the bonus ball
- It’s automatic. Every Lotto line is checked against the bonus ball — you don’t opt in or pay extra.
- It only lifts even divisions. The bonus ball matters in Divisions 2, 4 and 6, never the odd-numbered ones.
- It can’t win the jackpot. Division 1 needs all six main numbers; five main plus the bonus is Division 2, not first prize.
- It’s drawn the same way. Same physical, audited draw as the six main balls.
Disclaimer and responsible gambling
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. Lottery games are games of chance with a negative expected return. Prize divisions, odds and rules change — always confirm the current details with Lotto New Zealand at mylotto.co.nz before relying on anything here.
You must be 18 or over to buy or claim lottery products in New Zealand. If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free and confidential support is available 24/7 from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or by texting 8006, from Gambling Helpline New Zealand, from Safer Gambling Aotearoa, and from PGF Services on 0800 664 262. Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Sources
FAQ
What is the bonus ball in NZ Lotto?
It is a seventh ball drawn after the six main numbers, taken from the 34 balls that remain. It is automatic — you do not pick it or pay extra — and it is used to decide certain prize divisions.
Which divisions does the bonus ball affect?
Divisions 2, 4 and 6. Five main numbers plus the bonus is Division 2, four main plus the bonus is Division 4, and three main plus the bonus is Division 6.
Can the bonus ball win me the jackpot?
No. Division 1 requires all six main numbers. Matching five main numbers and the bonus ball is Division 2, not first prize — the bonus ball never completes the jackpot.
Do I have to do anything to play the bonus ball?
No. Every standard Lotto line is automatically checked against the bonus ball at no extra cost. There is nothing to select or add.
Is a bonus-ball prize taxed?
No. Lottery winnings in New Zealand are paid tax-free, including prizes won with the bonus ball. Any interest later earned on the money can be taxable.
