Betway’s Loss of 49’s Exclusivity Could Be a Big Win for South Africa’s Betting Industry

OLIVER L. Author

Last Updated: Jan 27th, 2025

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After working in the gambling industry for over a decade, Oliver spotted an opportunity to setup a resource for lottery bettors. CompareTheLotto.com was founded in 2014 and launched a UK site firstly with a South African following shortly after and USA being launched in 2020.

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of Lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

For several months, South African bettors could only access the new Brunch Time 49’s draw (13:49 SA time) and Drive Time 49’s draw (18:49 SA time) through Betway. That exclusivity period has now ended — and the wider industry is already feeling the impact.

With the new draws now available across multiple South African bookmakers, the 49’s brand has entered a new phase of accessibility, competition, and innovation. And for players, this shift could be overwhelmingly positive.

A Major Change for the South African Market

During the Betway-only period, the Brunch Time and Drive Time draws quietly built momentum. Now that they’ve been released to all major operators, South African bettors have more choice than ever before.

The full 49’s schedule now includes:

This expanded timetable gives players four opportunities per day to place 6-ball or 7-ball bets (with the Booster Ball option), check 49’s results, and follow number-frequency trends.

All results and stats for the new draws are available on Bet49s.co.za, updated live.

Why Betway’s Exclusivity Ending Matters

Exclusivity deals can be useful for testing new products, but they also limit player choice. Now that the new draws are available across multiple South African bookmakers, several benefits emerge:

1. More competition = better offers

When multiple operators carry the same product, promotions tend to improve. This could mean:

• better odds
• more free-bet opportunities
• stronger welcome offers
• more competitive pricing

2. Greater accessibility

Whilst Betway is an excellent, market-leading operator, players who prefer Hollywoodbets, YesPlay, Betfred, or other local operators can now access the new draws without switching platforms unless they want to.

3. A stronger 49’s ecosystem

The more widely a draw is available, the more data, engagement, and community activity it generates — especially around hot and cold numbers.

4. A boost for the fixed-odds lottery sector

With crash games like Aviator and live-dealer formats dominating the market, the expansion of 49’s helps maintain balance and variety.

Expert Insight: A Market Ready for More Choice

Lotto analyst Oliver Liebscher believes the end of exclusivity is a positive step for the entire industry:

“South African bettors are incredibly engaged, and they like having options. Opening the new draws to all bookmakers increases competition and gives players more flexibility. It’s a natural evolution for a product that’s been around for nearly 30 years.”

He also notes the broader trend:

“The demand for more frequent, mobile-friendly betting is only increasing. These new draws fit perfectly into that shift, and we expect them to perform strongly across all operators.”

Hot & Cold Numbers for the New Draws

Because Brunch Time and Drive Time have been running for several months, there is already meaningful data available. Bettors can explore:

• 49’s hot numbers
• 49’s cold numbers
• overdue numbers
• most drawn numbers
• predictions & picks
• long-term frequency patterns

These stats are updated automatically on Bet49s.co.za. They’re fun to explore — but they don’t influence the randomness of each draw.

Do the New Draws Affect Welcome Offers?

No — the new draws are treated exactly the same as Lunchtime and Teatime.

If a bookmaker offers:

• 49’s welcome bonuses
• 49’s free bets
• sign-up promotions
• daily specials

...then Brunch Time and Drive Time qualify automatically. Always check the bookmaker’s terms and eligibility rules.

Safer Gambling: Staying in Control With More Draws

More draws can mean more temptation to bet. If you want to try the new draws, consider reducing your stake so your overall spend stays the same. You should only wager what you’re comfortable to lose.

Lotto betting allows you to play for very small amounts — even just a few cents — which is one reason it remains so popular in South Africa.

FAQ

What time are the new 49’s draws in South Africa?

Brunch Time is at 13:49, and Drive Time is at 18:49.

Where can I see 49’s results?

All results — including the new draws — are available on Bet49s.co.za.

Are hot and cold numbers available for the new draws?

Yes — updated after every draw.

Do the new draws affect welcome offers?

No — they qualify wherever 49’s is already included in promotions.

Why is the end of exclusivity important?

It increases competition, improves accessibility, and benefits players across South Africa.