1. OPERATION JUMPSTART ASSOCIATION.
HISTORY OF THE GAME
By Joanne Grey
On 1 May 1992, Operation Jumpstart Association (OJA) officially opened its doors as a Section 21 non-profit
organisation with the primary objective of raising funds to finance mass job creation projects in the Durban Functional
Region, as well as throughout Kwazulu Natal.
OJA looked at the national and international lottery scene, where many types of games were available: scratch cards,
raffle games, 087 telephone lines and the numbers game.
An active lottery based on numbers a pool driven prizes was preferred. However, the barrier to entry was prohibitive
as a distribution network supported by a sophisticated computer network, was financially out of reach.
TAB (Totalisator Agency Board) was identified as having the necessary computer equipment, hardware and software
and an extensive distribution network throughout Natal. When TAB agreed to become OJA’s agent in this process, the
numbers game became viable and the chosen option for the initial game. TAB also identified OJA, a community based
organisation, as logical partners to give them an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the community.
Lotto 6/18, a variation of the ‘Pick 6”, was launched on 27 September 1992, using TAB’s existing software and
hardware, through a distribution network of 106 TAB outlets and 10 independent outlets, namely Game Discount
Stores and certain Spar Stores. Dependant on the success of the game it was envisaged that these external agents
would expand to at least 50 within the first 12 months. They would be established wherever there was access to a
data line and based on substantial customer traffic and a suitable money management environment.
The pricing structure was set at a minimum of R 4.00 per card and has remained constant throughout. The original
objective being to generate ticket sales of R 300 000 per week building up to R500 000 within 12 months.
On 13 November 92, 6/13 with bonus balls was launched to create more frequent wins and on 19 March 93 the game
changed to a 6/15. During the first 12 months of operation sales totalled over R9 million, an average of R208000 per
draw. The game played on TAB’s Pick 6 software had proven itself and it was decided to invest in writing the software
to create a traditional ‘lottery Game’.
On 1 October 1993 the 6/30 game was launched, Followed by 6/36 on 3 June 1994. On 6 March 1996 the mid-week
draw was introduced with an expected 60% increase in turnover and on 5 March 1997 6/39 was introduced.
From inception in 1992, OJA & Lotto Kzn raised R869 million, paid R345 million to charities and R448 million in prize
money with the highest ever jackpot reaching R21 million at the final draw in February 2000. Lotto KZN “it’s your
game” was forced by legislation to close its doors to make way for the National Lottery.
Operation Jumpstart Association continues as an NPO with its mission of giving people an opportunity to take charge
of their own destiny and turn their dreams into a reality.