If you want more than a handful of standard lines in the next Wednesday or Saturday Lotto draw, a System entry is the usual next step — and the lotto combo 8 cost nz question is the one most Kiwi players ask first. The short answer: a Combo 8 costs $19.60 on its own, or $42.00 with Powerball added. This guide explains exactly where those figures come from, how the 28 lines are built, how a single result can win across several prize divisions at once, and what changed for Powerball in September 2026. Every number below is drawn from Lotto New Zealand’s own rules and pricing rather than guesswork.
Key Facts
- Official name: System 8 (commonly searched as “Combo 8”)
- Numbers you choose: 8 from a pool of 1–40
- Lines generated: 28
- Base cost: $19.60 (28 lines × $0.70)
- With Powerball: $42.00 (28 lines × $1.50)
- Where to buy: Lotto retailers and MyLotto online
- Prize claim period: 12 months from the draw date
- Tax: winnings are tax-free in New Zealand
What is a Lotto Combo 8 (System 8)?
A Lotto Combo 8 is a single entry where you choose eight numbers instead of the usual six, and the system automatically plays every six-number line that can be made from your eight. Lotto New Zealand officially calls this a System 8; “Combo 8” is simply the everyday search term players use, so you will see both names for the same product. It is not the same as a “ComboDip”, which is a random quick-pick spanning several games.
In a standard Lotto game you pick six numbers from a pool of 1 to 40. A System 8 lets you pick eight numbers from that same 1-to-40 pool on one entry. The terminal then generates every unique combination of six numbers that can be drawn from your group of eight.
How the 28 lines are generated
The number of lines is fixed by simple mathematics. The count of six-number groups you can make from eight numbers is written C(8,6), and it works out to exactly 28. So a Combo 8 is really 28 ordinary Lotto lines bundled onto one ticket, all sharing the same eight numbers. You do not have to hand-write 28 separate lines — the system does it for you, which is the main appeal of a System entry. System entries run from System 7 up to System 15; Combo 8 sits near the affordable end of that range.
How much does a Lotto Combo 8 cost in NZ?
A Lotto Combo 8 costs $19.60 without Powerball. The maths is straightforward: a single standard Lotto line costs $0.70, and a Combo 8 contains 28 lines, so 28 × $0.70 = $19.60. That price is the same whether you buy a paper ticket at a Lotto retailer or play through MyLotto online — Lotto NZ uses one national price list. For a wider breakdown of every System size, see our guide to Lotto combo prices in NZ.
Adding Powerball to a Combo 8
Adding Powerball raises a Combo 8 to $42.00. Powerball is an add-on that costs an extra $0.80 per line, and it must be applied to every line on the entry — you cannot add it to just a few. That takes each line from $0.70 to $1.50, so 28 × $1.50 = $42.00. In return, each of your 28 lines also plays a Powerball number, making the entry eligible for the Powerball prize divisions.
System Entry Comparison
| System (Combo) | Numbers chosen | Lines | Lotto only | With Powerball |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System 7 | 7 | 7 | $4.90 | $10.50 |
| System 8 | 8 | 28 | $19.60 | $42.00 |
| System 9 | 9 | 84 | $58.80 | $126.00 |
| System 10 | 10 | 210 | $147.00 | $315.00 |
As the comparison shows, the cost climbs quickly with each extra number because the line count grows far faster than the number of picks. A Combo 9 is 84 lines and a Combo 10 is 210 lines, which is why those larger systems run to $126.00 and $315.00 with Powerball.
How a Combo 8 spreads wins across multiple divisions
The real reason players use a Combo 8 is that one good result can win in several prize divisions at the same time. Because all 28 lines share the same eight numbers, any numbers that come up tend to appear on many lines at once, so matches overlap and stack. You can read how the prize tiers themselves work in our full guide to Lotto prize divisions.
Example: matching four of your numbers
If exactly four of your eight numbers are among the six main numbers drawn, your 28 lines break down like this: 6 lines contain all four of those numbers and so match four numbers (a Division 5 win), and 16 more lines contain three of them (a Division 7 win). The remaining 6 lines match only two numbers and win nothing. That is why a single four-number result on a Combo 8 pays out many times over rather than once.
Example: matching five of your numbers
If five of your eight numbers are drawn, the stack is larger again: 3 lines match all five (Division 3), 15 lines match four (Division 5) and 10 lines match three (Division 7). These examples assume none of your numbers is the bonus ball; in a real draw the bonus ball can lift some lines into a higher division. Division 5 averages around $30 a line and Division 7 pays a fixed prize of bonus lines (free lines in a future draw), but most divisions are pari-mutuel, meaning the exact amount depends on each draw’s prize pool and the number of winners.
Where to buy a Combo 8: retail vs MyLotto
You can buy a Combo 8 two ways: at any Lotto retailer or online through MyLotto. At the counter you fill in a System 8 panel on a coupon or ask staff to set one up; online you select the System 8 option in the app or on the website. Either way you can choose your own eight numbers or let the terminal pick them at random (a Dip).
Spending limits to be aware of online
MyLotto applies personal spending limits to help players stay in control. A commonly cited figure is a $150 weekly limit, of which no more than $50 can go on Instant Kiwi Online games, and you can lower your own weekly and monthly limits in your account settings. Larger System entries cost a lot more per draw — a Powerball Combo 9 is $126.00 and a Powerball Combo 10 is $315.00 — so the bigger systems can run up against a weekly limit quickly, and many players buy those in store. A Combo 8 at $19.60 (or $42.00 with Powerball) sits comfortably within everyday budgets. More on the app is in our MyLotto app guide.
Combo 8 for syndicates and group play
Because a Powerball Combo 8 is $42.00 per draw, it is a popular pick for workplace, club and family syndicates that want wider coverage without any one person paying much. Split seven ways, for instance, a $42.00 entry is $6.00 a head. Any prizes are then shared in proportion to each member’s contribution under the group’s own agreement.
One rule matters here: Lotto NZ pays the prize to whoever holds the ticket or owns the MyLotto account, so the group’s split is a private arrangement between members, not something Lotto enforces. A clear written agreement that records who paid what and how prizes are divided avoids disputes. Our guide to Lotto syndicate rules in NZ covers this in detail.
The September 2026 Powerball changes and what they mean for Combo 8
On 13 September 2026, Lotto NZ changed Powerball for the first time in 19 years, and it affects the odds on a Powerball Combo 8. The Powerball pool grew from 10 numbers to 14. As a result, the odds of a Division 1 Powerball win lengthened from about 1 in 38.4 million to about 1 in 53.7 million per line. The Lotto-only Division 1 odds (1 in 3,838,380) did not change — only the Powerball side did.
- New Division 8: a fixed $12 prize for matching two main numbers plus the bonus ball and the Powerball on a line.
- Bigger jackpots: the starting Powerball jackpot rose from $4 million to $5 million, and the cap from $50 million to $60 million.
- Prices unchanged: Powerball still costs $0.80 per line, so a Powerball Combo 8 is still $42.00.
For a line-by-line view of the new numbers, see our guide to the odds of winning Powerball in NZ.
Common mistakes to avoid with a Combo 8
A System entry is easy to misunderstand, so watch for these points before you buy.
- Thinking it improves the odds of any single line. It does not. Each line still has the same chance as any ordinary Lotto line; a Combo 8 simply buys 28 of them at once for better coverage.
- Confusing it with other products. A System 8 is not a ComboDip, and it is not the same as buying eight separate standard lines.
- Forgetting Powerball applies to every line. That is why adding Powerball lifts the cost from $19.60 to $42.00, not by a small amount.
- Overspending online. Larger systems can brush up against your MyLotto weekly limit — set a limit that suits your budget.
- Letting a winning ticket expire. Prizes must be claimed within 12 months of the draw date.
- Expecting fixed payouts. Apart from the fixed lower divisions, prize amounts vary with each draw’s pool and winner count.
Tax and claiming your Combo 8 winnings
Lotto prizes in New Zealand are tax-free. The Inland Revenue Department treats Lotto winnings as a windfall, not income, so you keep 100% of any division payout — more on this in our guide to paying tax on Lotto in NZ. Prizes up to $1,000 are paid at a Lotto outlet, while larger amounts are claimed by form and paid by direct credit. Online entries on MyLotto are checked automatically, and winners of more than $1,000 are emailed to log in and complete a claim. Whichever way you play, a ticket must be claimed within 12 months of the draw date or the prize returns to the prize pool.
Responsible Gambling Disclaimer
This article is general information about how Lotto Combo 8 entries and pricing work in New Zealand. It is not advice to play, and no System entry, number choice or syndicate can change the odds of any individual line. Lotto is a game of chance with long odds on the top prizes, and you must be 18 or over to play. Only ever spend what you can comfortably afford as entertainment. If gambling is causing you or someone you know harm, free and confidential help is available from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655, 24 hours a day. See our responsible gambling page for more support options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lotto combo 8 cost in NZ?
A Lotto Combo 8 (officially a System 8) costs $19.60 without Powerball. That is 28 lines multiplied by the standard $0.70 line price. Adding Powerball raises it to $42.00, because Powerball adds $0.80 to every one of the 28 lines, making each line $1.50.
How many lines does a Combo 8 generate?
A Combo 8 generates exactly 28 lines. When you choose eight numbers, the system plays every possible six-number combination that can be made from those eight, and there are 28 such combinations.
Why can a Combo 8 win in several divisions at once?
All 28 lines share the same eight numbers, so any numbers that are drawn appear on many lines at the same time. This means one result can match different amounts across different lines, producing wins in more than one prize division from a single entry.
Can I buy a Combo 8 on MyLotto?
Yes. A Combo 8 can be bought online through MyLotto or at any Lotto retailer. Online play is subject to personal spending limits you can set in your account, and you can either pick your own eight numbers or use a random Dip.
Did the 2026 Powerball changes affect a Combo 8?
The price did not change — a Powerball Combo 8 is still $42.00 — but the odds did. From 13 September 2026 the Powerball pool grew from 10 to 14 numbers, so Division 1 odds lengthened to about 1 in 53.7 million per line, a new Division 8 was added, and the jackpot range rose to between $5 million and $60 million.
