What is Greece Powerball? OPAP's Joker explained
Short answer: Greece Powerball is the South African betting name for Greece's official Joker lottery, operated by OPAP. South African players place fixed-odds bets in rands with licensed local bookmakers; they do not buy Greek lottery tickets directly.
What is the Joker?
The Joker is an official draw-based lottery game run by OPAP, the Greek state gaming regulator. In South Africa, betting shops call it "Greece Powerball" to distinguish it from the domestic South African PowerBall (a separate game by a different operator). Every draw produces 5 main numbers drawn from 1 to 45, plus a separate Joker number drawn from 1 to 20.
How the numbers work
The Joker draw requires you to match five numbers from a field of 45, then a sixth bonus number (the Joker) from 1 to 20. Matching all six (the five main numbers plus the Joker) wins the jackpot. Matching fewer numbers wins smaller prizes. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 24,435,180.
When does it draw?
Draws happen every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at approximately 22:00 Greek time. Because Greece observes daylight saving and South Africa does not, the SAST time varies: draws occur at 21:00 SAST during Greek summer time (late March to late October) and 22:00 SAST during Greek winter (late October to late March). Today's results, updated live after each draw, show the exact draw time in your local timezone.
Why South Africans cannot buy Greek tickets
OPAP restricts its website (opap.gr) to visitors inside Greece. South Africans see a blocked screen and cannot purchase tickets directly. This is a geographic restriction: OPAP complies with Greek law by blocking non-EU residents from direct ticket sales. Instead, South African players place fixed-odds bets with licensed local bookmakers who offer Greece Powerball odds.
How South Africans play
South African players do not purchase lottery tickets. Instead, licensed bookmakers in South Africa offer fixed-odds bets on Greece Powerball draws. You choose your numbers, set your stake (from as little as R1), and place a bet in rands. If your numbers match the official OPAP draw, your bet wins at the bookmaker's payout odds. All bets are placed in South African currency through local betting platforms, not through Greece.
Where to check results
Because opap.gr is inaccessible to South African browsers, our site exists to publish verified Greece Powerball results immediately after each draw. We check every result against OPAP's official publication before posting. Results history shows all past draws with winning numbers. If you placed a bet with a bookmaker, use your account there to check your bet status, but you can verify the official draw result with us to confirm the numbers.
Why choose Greece Powerball over other games
Greece Powerball draws three times a week, giving you frequent playing opportunities. The game offers large jackpots and multiple prize tiers for matching fewer numbers. Many South African players prefer the Joker because the odds (1 in 24.4 million) are comparable to domestic games but the prize pool is backed by a major European regulator. Our how to play guide walks through the number matching and prize structure in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greece Powerball the same as South African PowerBall?
No. South African PowerBall is a separate lottery run by a different operator with different numbers and odds. Greece Powerball, also known as the Joker, is Greece's official lottery. The names can be confusing, but they are completely different games with different draws and different outcomes.
Can I legally bet on Greece Powerball in South Africa?
Yes. Licensed South African bookmakers are authorized to accept fixed-odds bets on Greece Powerball. Operators like YesPlay hold Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board Bookmaker Licence 10180204-013. All bets must be placed through licensed platforms, and you must be 18 years or older.
What are the odds of winning?
The odds of matching all five main numbers plus the Joker (the jackpot) are 1 in 24,435,180. The odds improve slightly if you match only the five main numbers without the Joker, or if you match four or three numbers. Each prize tier has different odds published by OPAP.
Why is opap.gr blocked for South Africa?
OPAP is bound by Greek and European law to restrict its ticket sales to residents within Greece and the EU. Geographic blocking (geofencing) is a legal requirement. OPAP does not sell tickets internationally, including to South Africa. This is why South African players bet through licensed local bookmakers instead.
How often does Greece Powerball draw?
Draws occur three times per week: every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at around 22:00 Greek time. The exact SAST time depends on whether Greece is observing daylight saving (21:00 SAST in summer, 22:00 SAST in winter). Today's results, updated live after draws, show the precise timing.