The bonus ball is one of the most misunderstood parts of NZ Lotto. It’s the reason some tickets win a bigger prize than you’d expect — and it’s also the source of a common disappointment when players think it should have won them the jackpot.
This guide explains exactly what the bonus ball is, which prizes it unlocks, and the one thing it can’t do.
What the bonus ball is
After the six main numbers are drawn in a Lotto draw, a seventh ball — the bonus ball — is drawn from the balls that remain.
It lifts you into three “plus bonus” divisions.Where the bonus ball counts
Division You match Odds (per line) Division 2 5 main + bonus 1 in 639,730 Division 4 4 main + bonus 1 in 7,754 Division 6 3 main + bonus 1 in 363
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Lotto uses 40 balls. Six main balls are drawn first, then the bonus ball is drawn from the 34 that are left. You don’t pick a bonus number and you don’t pay anything extra for it — every Lotto line you play is automatically checked against it.
Which prizes the bonus ball unlocks
The bonus ball’s job is to lift certain “near miss” results into a higher prize division. Specifically, it matters in three of Lotto’s seven divisions.
One draw, 40 balls, seven pulled out.How the bonus ball is drawn
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If you match five main numbers plus the bonus ball, that’s Division 2. Four main numbers plus the bonus is Division 4, and three main plus the bonus is Division 6. In each case, the bonus ball is what separates that prize from the plain “matched X numbers” division below it. Our guide on how many numbers you need to win Lotto has the full table of all seven divisions and what each pays.
The one thing the bonus ball can’t do
Here’s the point that catches people out: the bonus ball can never win you the jackpot.
Sources used to research and fact-check this article. Last checked 14 August 2026.Reference sources
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Division 1 — the top prize, usually starting around $1 million — requires all six main numbers. If you match five main numbers and the bonus ball, it can feel like 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 (2, 4 and 6); it’s never a substitute for a main number in Division 1. Understanding this is a big part of reading your ticket correctly, and our odds of winning Lotto guide puts those chances in context.
Where it fits among the games
The bonus ball is part of the main Lotto game, so it applies whenever you play a standard Lotto line. It works 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 1–14 with a higher $60 million cap), while Strike is a separate order-based game. The bonus ball, by contrast, needs no opt-in — it’s simply part of how every Lotto ticket is checked. To see how a ticket comes together, our beginner’s guide to playing Lotto walks through the basics.
How the bonus ball is drawn fairly
Because the bonus ball decides real prizes, it’s drawn to exactly the same standard as the main numbers. NZ Lotto draws are physical ball draws, not computer-generated. The draw uses secured ball sets and machines, the balls are mixed before the draw, and independent scrutineers from Audit New Zealand are present at every draw. Lotto NZ also holds recognised information-security certifications, and draws are broadcast live — all of which is designed to guarantee the bonus ball is as random and verifiable as every other ball.
Claiming a bonus-ball prize
A prize won with the bonus ball is claimed like any other Lotto prize. Amounts up to $1,000 are paid at any outlet or credited to your MyLotto wallet; for prizes above $1,000 you submit your ticket with a Prize Claim Form, and the prize is paid to your bank account. As with all NZ lottery prizes, winnings are tax-free, and you have 12 months from the draw date to claim before an unclaimed prize returns to the pool. Our guide on how to claim Lotto winnings in NZ covers the full process.
A quick reality check
The bonus ball adds extra winning chances, but it doesn’t change the fundamentals: Lotto is a game of chance, the odds of the top divisions are long, and nothing you do when choosing numbers affects whether the bonus ball lands in your favour. Treat it as a nice extra when it happens, not something to chase — set a budget, play within it, and keep it fun.
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 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.
It works automatically — there’s nothing extra to buy or do.Four things to know about the bonus ball
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FAQ
What is the bonus ball in NZ Lotto?
It’s a seventh ball drawn after the six main numbers, taken from the 34 balls that remain. It’s automatic — you don’t pick it or pay extra — and it’s 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 plus the bonus is Division 4, and three 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’s nothing to select or add.
What are the odds of a bonus-ball division?
Roughly 1 in 639,730 for Division 2, 1 in 7,754 for Division 4, and 1 in 363 for Division 6, per line played.
Is a bonus-ball prize taxed?
No. Lottery winnings in New Zealand are paid tax-free, including prizes won with the bonus ball. Interest later earned on the money can be taxable.
