Your cart is empty
Lotto 03 December 2025
The Brilliant Brazilian!
The Mega Sena Handbook: A Guide For South African Punters
THE MEGA SENA HANDBOOK
- WHAT IS MEGA SENA?
- UNDERSTANDING MEGA SENA’S ODDS & PAYOUTS
- HOW TO BET ON MEGA SENA
- WHEN IS THE MEGA SENA DRAW?
- BET ON MEGA SENA FROM SOUTH AFRICA
If you are one of the few who have yet to discover the charms of Mega Sena, then this guide is for you! We will walk you through everything you need to know to get started, including its history, the odds of winning, the all-important payouts, and – of course – how you can bet on Mega Sena from South Africa!
WHAT IS MEGA SENA?
|
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | First Drawn | Bet Price | Record Payout |
| Brazil | 1996 | From R30 | R$263.295 million (R1 billion) |
Mega Sena is Brazil’s national lottery, managed by the state-owned bank Caixa Econômica Federal. It was launched on 11 March 1996 and Brazilians quickly warmed to it with millions of bets sold each and every week. Since that first draw in 1996, Mega Sena has undergone several makeovers to improve its gameplay and to further entrench itself into the hearts of punters across the country.
The most notable of these changes was the launch of the Mega da Virada. Similar to Spain’s Christmas Lottery, El Gordo, the Mega da Virada takes place just once a year, with punters from all over the country getting involved in the lottery on 31 December to bring in the New Year. Due to the popularity of this lottery, the payouts can often dwarf those of the regular draw which only attracts more and more hopeful punters.
Mega Sena’s status as one of the most popular lotteries in South America is underscored not only by the fact that it attracts millions of ounters each and every week, but also by the fact that it inspired the launch of two further national lotteries in Brazil; Quina and Lotofácil. This has made Brazil something of a rarity in the lottery world as it is one of the few countries to offer three national lotteries – and when they are all this good, nobody is complaining about that!
UNDERSTANDING MEGA SENA’S ODDS & PAYOUTS
One of the most compelling reasons for international punters to get involved with Mega Sena is its more than attractive odds of winning. The chances of hitting the top payout are just 50,063,0860 to 1 – for comparison for you are betting the German Lotto your odds of winning are more than 139 million to one! These odds also make Mega Sena significantly easier to win than EuroJackpot, Mega Millions and many other well-regarded lotteries. Add that to the fact that Mega Sena is one of the world’s cheaper lotteries at just R30 per bet, and you start to see why it has gained such a huge fanbase!
|
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | Odds Of Winning | Payout Pool Percentage | |
| 6 Numbers (Sena) | 50,063,860 to 1 | 35% | |
| 5 Numbers (Quina) | 154,518 to 1 | 19% | |
| 4 Numbers (Quadra) | 2,332 to 1 | 19% | |
As mentioned, you will hit the top payout for matching all six numbers drawn. You will also get a payout for matching either four or five numbers. However, these payouts can vary depending on how popular the lottery has been that week. This is because each payout tier is allocated a percentage of the overall payout pool, which is illustrated for you below.
HOW TO BET ON MEGA SENA
Similar to Germany’s 6aus49 (6 from 49), the key to understanding Mega Sena is in the name. Mega Sena translates to “Mega Six”, and that is exactly what you need to place your bet! All you need to do is choose six numbers from a choice of 1 to 60 abnd your bet is ready! When you’re betting with Lottoland, you can even decide to choose extra numbers. With our System Bets option you can increase to selection to up tp 15 numbers, which will of course greatly benefit your chances of winning! Not only that, but you can make use of our Double Payout feature which will double your winnings if you hit the top payout!
WHEN IS THE MEGA SENA DRAW?
The official draw takes place in the city of Brasilia every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night at 20:00. Interestingly, Mega Sena does it’s drawing a little bit differently to other lotteries. The draws are open to the public, and broadcast on national television, usually live from a TV studio. Every now and again however, the Caminhão da Sorte (“Luck Truck”) gets wheeled out and parks in a public space somewhere in Brazil. When this happens, members of the public are invited to launch the draw and audit the draws themselves!
Due to the time difference, for us here in South Africa the results will come in at 1:00 SAST every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday morning. Don’t worry about staying up late to check the Mega Sena results – we will e-mail you if your numbers have come up!
BET ON MEGA SENA FROM SOUTH AFRICA
By now the prospect of cheap bets and short odds have surely piqued your interest in Brazil’s Mega Sena! Thankfully, betting on Mega Sena from South Africa is easy. You simply need to register your account, then navigate to the Mega Sena page, from there just choose your six lucky numbers and confirm your bet. We’ll be crossing our fingers for you, and hopefully we will be emailing you with goods news soon. Boa Sorte!
FAQ: Mega Sena
WHAT MAKES MEGA SENA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER INTERNATIONAL LOTTERIES?
Mega Sena stands out thanks to its unique draw mechanics, attractive odds and consistently strong payouts. The format is simple – six numbers drawn from a pool of 60 – but the odds of hitting the top prize are noticeably better than many well-known international lotteries. Its special annual draw, the Mega da Virada, also adds an extra layer of excitement by offering significantly boosted prize pools on New Year’s Eve. Combined with the fact that it remains one of the more affordable international lotteries to bet on, Mega Sena has earned a loyal following around the world.
CAN I BET ON MEGA SENA FROM SOUTH AFRICA?
Yes, South African punters can bet on Mega Sena with ease through Lottoland. All you need is a valid account, after which you can access the full range of international lotteries, including this popular Brazilian draw. The betting process mirrors the official game, giving you the chance to pick your numbers and win the same payouts, all from the comfort of home.
HOW DO I PLACE A MEGA SENA BET ON LOTTOLAND?
Once you’ve logged in to your Lottoland account, simply navigate to the Mega Sena page. You’ll be prompted to choose six numbers between 1 and 60, or you can use the QuickPick option if you prefer. You can also expand your selection with System Bets, which allow you to add extra numbers to improve your chances. After confirming your picks, place your bet and you’ll be entered into the next available draw.
HOW DO MEGA SENA PAYOUTS WORK?
Mega Sena payouts are based on a pool system, where a percentage of all bets goes towards each prize tier. The top tier pays out for matching all six numbers, while additional prizes are awarded for matching either five or four numbers. Because each tier receives a set share of the prize pool, the exact payout amounts can vary from draw to draw depending on the number of bets placed. Lottoland mirrors these structures, meaning your winnings reflect the official payout distribution.
IS MEGA SENA A SAFE AND LEGITIMATE LOTTERY TO BET ON?
Absolutely. Mega Sena is Brazil’s official national lottery, run by the state-owned bank Caixa Econômica Federal, which ensures strict regulation and transparent draw procedures. When betting through Lottoland, your wagers are also protected by licensed and regulated operations, allowing you to enjoy Mega Sena with full confidence.
A
by
Andre
