NLA 5/90 Lotto Explained

Each week, many Ghanaians dream of hitting the jackpot with the National Lotto Authority’s classic 5/90 game. But to win, you need to know the draw rules, your bet options, and how to play safely. Here’s what you need to know before buying your next ticket.

How the 5/90 draw works

In 5/90, players pick their numbers from 1 to 90. Each week, five balls are drawn at random from this range. A ticket is a winner if it matches the drawn numbers in the combination you bet on.

Draws happen once a day, Monday to Saturday, at 1:30 PM. On Sundays, there’s only one draw. The National Lotto Authority handles the random selection, and you must buy from an approved channel to be part of the official draw.

Direct bets: Pick and match

The most common 5/90 bet is called a Direct. Select any five numbers out of 90 and submit them as a block. To win the main prize, all five must appear in the draw, in any order. There are also smaller prizes for matching four or three numbers.

Perm bets: broader coverage

A Perm, short for Permutation, covers a wider range of potential winning combinations, at a higher cost. With a Perm of three, your chosen numbers can be permuted into all possible picks of three out of the five total. You pay one stake for each line.

The NLA terms listed a "Banker 1 against all" feature, pairing one chosen with the 89 left, but did not name a "Perm". The exact rules are an important check.

Buying tickets safely

You should buy from an NLA-licensed retailer.

Remember this before you bet

Here’s what you need to know: Choose your numbers, pick your bet type (Direct or Perm), check the draw times, and set a budget. Gambling responsibly means knowing these supply details.

If you selected a Direct, all your numbers must appear in the draw to win maximum. Perms cover permutations, but each line is a separate bet. Tickets are sold via licensed agents, while the NLA supervises the draws. Prizes depend on the exact bet type and draw match, though multipliers were not verified for this article.

With these rules in mind, you’re ready to take a chance or two in the NLA’s hallowed 5/90 draw.