Is playing the lotto during lockdown a privilege?

The only way to play the South African National Lottery during a nationwide lockdown is to access it online, but some lottery-goers don’t have good access to the internet, if at all.

Whilst many have praised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s actions towards curbing the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, others have questioned whether a lockdown in South Africa truly benefits or is even possible for those living close to or below the poverty line.

Beyond the incredibly serious issues of hunger, job loss, cramped living quarters and police brutality, there have been some who have expressed their frustrations at not being able to play the national  lottery during lockdown whilst others, who are more privileged and have access to the internet can do so.

One such complaint was written on a South African National Lottery post: “Now another story again… Were not all fortunate to play online we also don’t have the phone banking .Now you doing this for those who have it all..I am disappointed.”