Texas Lottery fallout: Jackpocket suspends operations in Texas
TX Lottery Commission cracks down on couriers
Popular lottery app Jackpocket has stopped operating in Texas amid controversy and investigations into the Texas Lottery.
AUSTIN - Popular lottery app Jackpocket has stopped operating in Texas amid controversy and investigations into the Texas Lottery.
Jackpocket emailed users on Monday night saying that the app has suspended lottery courier operations.
The email comes just hours after the Texas Lottery announced that it was moving to ban courier services.
What are lottery couriers?
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Texas Lottery Commission under investigation
The Texas Lottery Commission is under investigation. Gov. Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to look into whether the agency and the lottery game have been compromised.
Dig deeper:
Lottery couriers are companies that take lottery ticket orders from customers online or on an app.
The courier then buys lottery tickets from a licensed lottery retailer.
The courier then sends a scanned image of the ticket to the customer and holds onto the ticket until it is determined to be a winner or non-winner.
The services charge a fee to customers to purchase and manage their tickets.
The couriers and retailers that sell the tickets are often in the same building or office.
Jackpocket closing impact
Why you should care:
Jackpocket users will no longer be able to purchase Texas Lottery tickets through the app.
Existing tickets that people bought for future drawings are still valid, and any winning tickets will still give out prizes.
The company also says that funds deposited into the app are withdrawable.
What they're saying:
Pete Sullivan, SVP, Lottery at DraftKings, released a statement:
"Jackpocket has operated in Texas since 2019 with full transparency and in compliance with guidance from the Texas Lottery Commission. Despite our proven track record of compliance and commitment to responsible gaming, the Texas Lottery Commission has issued a new policy prohibiting our services, effective immediately. As a result, we are suspending lottery courier operations in Texas. This decision not only limits Texans' access to the lottery but also directly impacts public education funding. Jackpocket has driven over $550 million in lottery ticket sales in Texas, contributing vital revenue to schools across the state. We remain dedicated to working with policymakers to ensure access to secure lottery options and working with the Texas Lottery Commission to craft regulations that would allow lottery courier services to continue in Texas."
"For years we've operated in compliance with the guidance of the Texas Lottery Commission, and we are disappointed this policy change is now impacting our ability to serve you and other Texans who want a reliable and more accessible way to participate in the lottery," wrote the company in an email.
The company also told users to email Governor Greg Abbott to let him know that they support lottery couriers.
Texas Lottery controversy
Lawmakers investigating Texas Lottery
Both law enforcement and Texas lawmakers are investigating a possible rigging of the Texas Lottery. It is being scrutinized due to suspicious circumstances surrounding recent multi-million dollar jackpot winning tickets being purchased through courier systems
The backstory:
Jackpocket's move comes just a day after the Texas Lottery announced that it was moving to ban courier services and Governor Greg Abbott called on the Texas Rangers to investigate two recent controversial wins.
The investigation is looking into a $83.5 million winning ticket purchased on the Jackpocket app for the Feb. 17, 2025 Lotto Texas drawing.
READ MORE: Texas Lottery commissioner resigns shortly after controversial wins draw state officials' scrutiny
The ticket was sold at a store called Winners Corner TX LCC, which is also owned by DraftKings, the company that owns Jackpocket.
Jackpocket says that the winner was a Texas resident who purchased 10 tickets.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick went to the store to investigate and
Dan Patrick investigates lottery retailer in Austin
VIDEO: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is conducting his own investigation into the Texas Lottery. This comes after a winning $83.5 million lottery ticket was bought at a retail store in North Austin. (Video courtesy: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's X account)
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick acknowledges that courier services are not illegal in Texas, but he says that is not what the law intended when the state's lottery began in 1991.
DraftKings argues they aren't breaking any laws.
What's next:
Several Texas lawmakers have filed bills to put new restrictions on the Texas Lottery, including banning the use of courier services.
The Source: Information in this article comes from an email sent to Jackpocket users on Feb. 24, 2025, news releases from the Texas Governor's Office and the Texas Lottery Commission and House and Senate hearings on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.