If you enjoy lotto games, let me tell you about Keno and Instant Kiwi, both offered by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission.
Keno, introduced in 1994, offers four draws daily, 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm, ensuring frequent opportunities for excitement. Instant Kiwi on the other hand presents a range of scratchcards and online games, captivating players since its launch in 1989, when it replaced the beloved Golden Kiwi. Instant Kiwi Online Games are quick and easy instant win games that can be played on MyLotto or the MyLotto App.
It’s important to note that Instant Kiwi requires players to be 18 years or older, while Keno does not impose any age restrictions. Both games feature different prize pools, top prizes, and odds.
If you’re curious to learn more about the intricacies of these games, dive into the comprehensive FAQ section about Keno on keno results, continue reading to learn all about how to play Instant Kiwi Online. Expand your knowledge and make informed decisions about your gaming preferences. Let the games begin!
To play Instant Kiwi Online games, you must be a fully registered MyLotto player and 18 years of age or older.
You can play Instant Kiwi Online games daily between 6:30am and 10:10pm.
Yes! All Instant Kiwi Online games have a “Try Now” option. You can try a demo version of the game without any money being deducted from your account. However, demo winnings are not awarded.
Unfortunately, you cannot. Once you’ve made a purchase, the outcome of the game is determined. Therefore, all sales are final. Please ensure that you’ve made the correct selection before confirming your purchase, as purchases made in error cannot be refunded.
If you’re unable to complete an Instant Kiwi Online ticket, it will be automatically completed on your behalf within 45 minutes of purchase.
For security reasons, you will be automatically logged out of your account after 30 minutes of inactivity. If your session times out mid-game, any winnings due to you will be automatically deposited into your MyLotto wallet within 45 minutes.
Are Instant Kiwi Online games the same as in-store scratchies?
No. While some Instant Kiwi games may have the same name and a similar appearance across Instant Kiwi Online and in-store, they are separate games and have different prize pools.
Can you redeem Instant Kiwi Online games in a Lotto store (and vice versa)?
No. Instant Kiwi Online prizes (under $1,000) are automatically credited to a player’s MyLotto account. Players can withdraw their winnings by selecting ‘Settings > Withdraw funds’. On the other hand, Instant Kiwi In-store prizes can only be redeemed at a Lotto store.
Is the “Instant Lotto” Instant Kiwi Online game the same as the Wednesday and Saturday Lotto Powerball draw?
Nope! No, they are separate games played and claimed independently. The “Instant Lotto” game offers different prizes and can be played any day of the week.
The aim of the “Instant Lotto” game is to match your selected numbers to the winning numbers to win instantly.
You need to select six numbers of your own or use the ‘Auto Pick’ option. Then, select ‘Draw’ on the Lotto machine to start drawing the numbers. Match your selected numbers to the Winning Numbers to win the corresponding prize indicated in the prize table.
The “Instant Lotto” Instant Kiwi Online game offers top prizes of $20,000 for the $2 game, and these prizes are always available at the time of purchase, regardless of how many times they’ve been won. There are also other cash prizes available to be won.
Lotto is the game that offers the biggest prizes. The top prize for Lotto is $1 million, and it is available in every draw. Lotto can be played twice a week, either in-store or on MyLotto, with live draws aired every Wednesday and Saturday on TVNZ1. However, please note that due to major sporting event coverage, the live Lotto draw will be aired on TVNZ 2 from July 24 to August 7.
The aim of the Lotto game is to match the numbers on your ticket to the numbers drawn. To play Lotto, you need to choose six numbers from 1 to 40 to make a line on your ticket. You can select your own numbers or use a Dip to have random numbers chosen for you. Each live Lotto draw consists of six winning Lotto numbers plus one bonus ball. There are seven Lotto Prize Divisions, with Division 1 being the top prize, won by matching all six winning Lotto numbers on a single line of your ticket. If you want to learn more about Lotto, you can find additional information on how to play on our website.
What is the spending limit for Instant Kiwi Online games?
The maximum spending limit for Instant Kiwi Online games is $50 per week. This amount is included in the total weekly spending limit of $150 for MyLotto. Additionally, you have the option to set lower spending limits according to your preference. To do this, simply go to ‘Settings > Spending Limits’ in your account.
The result of each Instant Kiwi Online ticket will be displayed at the end of the game. You can also view the outcome of completed tickets by going to ‘My Tickets > Completed tickets > Instant Kiwi Online’.
No. Like Instant Kiwi tickets purchased in-store, Instant Kiwi Online games are games of chance. The outcome of a ticket is determined randomly by the system when you click ‘buy’ and is not influenced by the skill or judgment of the player.
Yes. All prizes for Instant Kiwi Online games are always available at the time of purchase, regardless of how many times they’ve been won.
Are you feeling lucky?
Since September 1989, Instant Kiwi, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission’s popular and affectionately known scratchies (scratch cards), has offered players the chance to “give it a go”, “get a little excitement”, and experience “the thrill of the scratch” to win instant, life-changing cash prizes. It replaced the Golden Kiwi lottery which ran from 1961 until 1987.
In December 2017, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission launched Instant Play on myLotto website, the official Lotto NZ website, hosting Instant Kiwi scratch cards and games. The online platform, today known as Instant Kiwi Online, improves engagement, accessibility, and convenience by offering players a user-friendly interface and real-time interactive features. The fun can also be accessed directly on tablets and mobile phones on via the MyLotto app.
Online Instant Kiwi “In-Store Games” are digital versions of scratch cards available across New Zealand for those over 18. These range from the traditional symbol and number matching combinations to themed games (golf and birds, for example) each offering the potential of huge prize money by simply scratching to win.
The Instant Kiwi “Online Games” are also scratch cards in several formats and themes. These, too, offer instant wins with the top prize of substantial six-figure sums.
Instant Kiwi Online games are available between 6:30 am and 10:10 pm.
From adventure to sports themes, the diverse designs of Instant Kiwi scratch cards and games are aimed to appeal to various tastes. Events and special occasions are sometimes commemorated with the release of collectable scratch cards.
Either in-store or online, purchasing Instant Kiwi scratch cards is a quick and easy process. Players need to prove they are at least 18 years old, the legal gambling age in New Zealand.
In-store purchases can be made in authorised Lotto NZ retailers usually identified by the official logo or signage. Scratch cards are selected and paid for at the counter. Smaller prize wins can be claimed from the retailer.
Online scratch cards can be bought through the MyLotto website or app after creating an account. Funds can be topped up using electronic payment methods accepted by MyLotto.
The odds of winning an Instant Kiwi game are determined by their cost ($1 to $10), design (matching symbols, for example) and prize structure (distribution of the total prize pool), but are generally between 1 in 3 and 1 in 5. Higher-priced cards have better odds and higher cash prizes than the $1 and $2 options.
Scratch cards, though, are chance-based gambles with each outcome unpredictable.
In this game of chance there is no strategy for success, but playing the games responsibly, rather than as a source of income, and understanding the odds can create an enjoyable experience.
Instant Kiwi scratch cards offer cash prizes ranging from the most common small amounts ($2 to $5, for example) to the top-tier, six-figure jackpots ($1 million). The prize tiers and odds of winning can differ between games, but there are usually several prizes that can be won in a game.
Special, non-cash prizes, such as Toyota pickup trucks, can also be won in some Instant Kiwi games.
Any success on the Instant Kiwi scratch cards is by pure chance. However, misconceptions persist about buying from rumoured ‘lucky’ retailers, secret card patterns and overanalysing the odds to win. This can lead to irresponsible playing. Remember, play responsibly and safely; there is no surefire way to win a jackpot!
Lotto NZ encourages responsible gambling for all games it manages by advising players to “play a little, and dream a lot”. A responsible gambler enjoys the moment and accepts a loss. They can also take personal responsibility for their decisions, budgets and spending limits. Lotto NZ has created Play Smart tools to manage online and in-store playing.
An in-store Instant Kiwi scratch card should be purchased only from an authorised Lotto NZ retailer.
The cry of “you little beauty“ has been heard across New Zealand in recent years by Instant Kiwi winners of the dream ticket.
An Auckland man was the country’s first scratch card millionaire in 2018, reportedly buying his winning ticket after getting a “lucky feeling”. At the time, it was the largest Instant Kiwi prize won in the lottery’s history.
A similar life-changing windfall was reported in Nelson, in 2022, where the winner was left “shaking all over” in his car after scratching the top prize of $1 million on an in-store purchase.
In 2023, substantial wins on instant Kiwi scratchies occurred in Hawke’s Bay ($75,000) and Auckland ($250,000), with both winners toasting their newfound wealth with the traditional celebratory drinks.
More inspiring stories can be found on the Lotto NZ website.
