Bullseye is one of New Zealand’s more unusual lottery games — and the only one drawn every single day. Instead of matching a set of numbers, you pick a single six-digit number and win based on how close it lands to the number drawn. Here’s how it works, what you can win, and the real odds.
Bullseye is refreshingly simple, which is part of its appeal.
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To play, you choose a six-digit number anywhere from 000000 to 999999 — you can enter up to three different numbers per ticket, or use a Dip to have them chosen at random. Each line costs $2, and there’s a draw every day at 6:00pm, with results on MyLotto from around 6:10pm. The order of the digits matters, and if your chosen number needs padding to reach six digits, zeros are added to the front.
This is what makes Bullseye different. You don’t have to match the number exactly to win something — you win based on how close your number is to the one drawn.
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An exact match wins the jackpot. From there, being within 5 either side wins the second tier, and there are further tiers for landing within 50, 500, 5,000 or 50,000 of the number. There are six prize tiers in total — the jackpot plus five lower tiers. One quirk worth knowing: the number line wraps around, so 999999 and 000000 are treated as neighbours. That’s why the lowest tier’s odds are 1 in 11 rather than the 1 in 10 you might expect — some numbers in that wide range fall into a higher, closer tier instead.
Bullseye’s jackpot has a guaranteed minimum of $100,000 and grows day by day as it rolls over, up to a cap of $400,000.
When the jackpot reaches that $400,000 cap without being won, Lotto NZ runs a “Must Be Won” draw: the prize can’t roll over any further, so it cascades down to the highest tier that does have winners. Combined with the daily draws, this roll-down mechanism means the second and third tiers see substantial payouts fairly regularly. The second tier pays $10,000, and the very lowest tier is a free ticket into the next draw. Middle-tier amounts are fixed, so it’s worth checking MyLotto for the current values.
If you like to play the same number regularly, buying draws in advance is cheaper than paying day by day.
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A seven-draw ticket costs $10 instead of $14, and a 14-draw ticket costs $20 instead of $28 — a saving Lotto NZ doesn’t offer on its other games. It’s purely a price discount for committing in advance; it doesn’t change your odds on any individual draw.
Because there’s a draw every day, results come around quickly — they’re posted on MyLotto shortly after each 6pm draw. Prizes up to $1,000 are paid at any outlet or credited to your MyLotto wallet, and larger amounts are claimed through Lotto NZ with a prize claim form. As with every NZ lottery game, Bullseye prizes are paid as tax-free lump sums, and you have 12 months from the draw to claim. You can check the daily numbers on our Lotto results page, and our guide on claiming Lotto winnings covers the process in full.
You must be 18 or over to play Bullseye, in line with the rules for all New Zealand lottery products. Tickets are available at authorised Lotto outlets nationwide and online through the official MyLotto website and app if you’re in New Zealand — Bullseye can’t be played from overseas.
Bullseye launched on 19 October 2009 as New Zealand’s first daily draw game, run by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission (Lotto NZ). It carved out a niche as a simpler, lower-stakes alternative to Lotto and Powerball, and its daily format and fixed lower-tier prizes have kept it popular ever since. If you enjoy the fast, frequent format, you might also look at Keno and Instant Kiwi.
A daily game with a low entry price can be easy to play more often than you intend, so it’s worth setting a budget and sticking to it. Bullseye is a game of chance — your number’s position is drawn at random, and nothing you do makes a closer result more likely. Treat it as entertainment, use the spending tools on MyLotto if they help, and step away if it stops being 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. Bullseye is a game of chance with a negative expected return, and no method improves your odds. Prices, prizes and rules 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 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.
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Pick a six-digit number from 000000 to 999999 (up to three per ticket, or use a Dip), pay $2 per line, and wait for the daily 6pm draw. The closer your number is to the one drawn, the bigger your prize.
By how close your number is to the drawn number. An exact match wins the jackpot; being within 5, 50, 500, 5,000 or 50,000 either side wins one of the five lower tiers.
It starts at a guaranteed $100,000 and rolls over daily up to a $400,000 cap. At the cap, a Must Be Won draw pays the prize down to the next winning tier.
Every day at 6:00pm, with results on MyLotto from around 6:10pm.
It’s cheaper if you were going to play the same number anyway — $10 for seven draws (versus $14) or $20 for 14 (versus $28). It’s a price discount only and doesn’t change your odds.
No. Like all NZ lottery prizes, Bullseye winnings are paid tax-free as a lump sum. You have 12 months to claim.