You must be 18 or older to bet. UK49s is offered in South Africa as fixed-odds betting through licensed local bookmakers — it is not run by the National Lottery. Free, confidential support: NRGP 0800 006 008 (24/7).
UK49s Teatime is the evening draw in the UK49s game — the second of the two daily draws, run after Lunchtime. Despite the name, it originated in the UK and is not connected to South Africa's National Lottery. In South Africa, it's offered as a fixed-odds betting product through licensed local bookmakers, which means you're betting on the outcome of the draw rather than buying a lottery ticket in the traditional sense.
This guide walks through exactly how the game works, how to place a bet through a licensed bookmaker, and what to keep in mind so you play safely and with realistic expectations. Nothing here is designed to encourage you to bet more than you're comfortable with, and no method of picking numbers can improve your odds — that applies throughout this guide.
When Does the Teatime Draw Happen?
The UK49s Teatime draw takes place daily at 17:49 UK time. Converted to South African time, that's currently around 18:49 SAST. The UK is currently on British Summer Time (one hour ahead of GMT), so the SAST gap is smaller than usual.
This gap shifts slightly twice a year because the UK moves its clocks forward and back for daylight saving (BST in summer, GMT in winter), while South Africa doesn't observe daylight saving at all. Because of this, it's worth double-checking the exact local cut-off time with your bookmaker rather than relying on a fixed number, especially around the UK's clock-change weekends in March and October.
Basic Rules of UK49s Teatime
The format is the same as the Lunchtime draw — only the time and the results differ:
- Six main numbers are drawn from a pool of 1 to 49.
- An optional Booster Ball is also drawn from the same 1–49 pool, used by some bet types for extra prize tiers.
- Different bet types let you bet on matching all 6 numbers, or fewer — for example 5 numbers, 4 numbers, or 3 numbers — each with different payout odds.
- Booster options may be available on top of your main number selection, depending on the bet type and bookmaker.
The exact bet types, minimum stakes, and payout structures vary by bookmaker, so it's worth reading the specific rules on whichever licensed platform you use before placing a bet.
Step-by-Step: How to Place a UK49s Teatime Bet
- Choose a licensed South African bookmaker that offers UK49s betting. Confirm it's properly licensed before you deposit any money or place a bet.
- Select the Teatime draw. Most platforms list Lunchtime and Teatime separately — make sure you're betting on the correct one, since they're independent draws with their own results.
- Pick or generate your numbers. Choose your own 6 numbers from 1–49, or use a Quick Pick tool to generate a random set instantly if you'd rather not decide yourself.
- Choose your stake and bet type. Decide how much you want to bet and which bet type suits you — for example, matching all 6 numbers, or a smaller subset, with or without the Booster Ball.
- Place your bet before the cut-off. Submit your bet slip ahead of your bookmaker's cut-off time, which will be shortly before the 17:49 UK draw.
- Check the result after the draw. Once the draw has taken place, compare the official Teatime result to your bet slip to see whether any of your numbers matched.
Choosing Your Numbers
There's no right or wrong way to choose numbers for UK49s Teatime, because the draw is random and every number in the 1–49 pool carries exactly the same odds each time. Common approaches include:
- Quick Pick: a tool generates a completely random set of numbers for you in one click — a fast, unbiased option if you don't want to choose manually.
- Personal numbers: birthdays, anniversaries, or other numbers that hold personal meaning.
- Hot and cold statistics: some players look at which numbers have appeared most or least often in recent Teatime draws, purely out of interest.
It's worth being clear about this: none of these methods improve your actual odds of winning. UK49s Teatime is random and independent from one draw to the next — and independent of the Lunchtime draw earlier the same day — so a number's past frequency has no bearing on whether it will be drawn again. Choose whichever approach you find most enjoyable — Quick Pick exists purely for convenience, not as a strategy.
Watch out for "banker number" scams. The evening draw is a favourite target for "guaranteed banker numbers" or "100% straight win" tips doing the rounds in South African WhatsApp and Telegram groups in the hours before 17:49 UK time, often with a request for airtime or a cash transfer first. No number can be guaranteed in a random draw — if someone is charging you for a "sure" number, it's a scam.
Responsible Gambling
UK49s Teatime is entertainment, not an income strategy. Keep these basics in mind:
- Only bet money you can genuinely afford to lose.
- Set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stick to them.
- Never chase losses by betting more to try to win back what's gone.
- Take breaks, and don't bet when stressed, upset, or under the influence of alcohol.
If gambling stops feeling fun or starts to feel like a problem, free and confidential support is available 24/7 from the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) on 0800 006 008, or at responsiblegambling.org.za.
Frequently Asked Questions
The draw takes place at 17:49 UK time. Converted to South African time, that's currently around 18:49 SAST. The UK is currently on British Summer Time (one hour ahead of GMT), so the SAST gap is smaller than usual. Always confirm the exact time with your bookmaker, since UK clock changes shift this slightly twice a year.
Yes. UK49s is not run by the South African National Lottery — it is offered as a licensed fixed-odds betting product through registered local bookmakers. Always confirm that whichever platform or shop you use is properly licensed before betting.
Yes. A Quick Pick simply generates a random set of numbers for you. It carries exactly the same odds as any set you'd choose yourself — birthdays, lucky numbers, or hot and cold statistics included.
No. UK49s Teatime is a random, independent draw. Every number in the 1–49 pool has the same probability of being drawn next, regardless of how often it has appeared recently. Hot and cold statistics describe the past only.
No. Lunchtime and Teatime are two completely separate, independent UK49s draws held at different times of day. A number appearing in Lunchtime has no bearing on the Teatime draw that follows it, and each has its own results.
No. No number, pair, or combination can be guaranteed in a random draw. The evening draw is a common target for "guaranteed banker number" tips sold in WhatsApp and Telegram groups shortly before 17:49 UK time — treat any such claim as a scam.
Explore More UK49s Teatime Tools
Responsible Play Reminder: UK49s Teatime outcomes are random and independent — of past Teatime draws, and of the Lunchtime draw earlier the same day. No number, strategy, or method of choosing numbers — Quick Pick, hot/cold statistics, or personal numbers — improves your odds. Please play responsibly and only through licensed South African bookmakers. Must be 18+. Free support: NRGP 0800 006 008 (24/7).