All news

Jackpocket suspends service in embattled Texas

After a potential courier service ban was announced in Texas, Jackpocket isn’t serving the state for now.

The Jackpocket logo on a white background.
Halley Bondy

Today, the popular third-party lottery app Jackpocket suspended operations in Texas in the wake of an announcement that could gut lottery courier services in the state.

Through its app, where users can buy lotto tickets across the country, Jackpocket announced to Texas users:

Gameplay is currently suspended, and you are unable to place a new order for tickets. An update will be provided shortly.

Tickets that were purchased prior to the announcement will be honored.

Courier service ban

Jackpocket’s suspension comes a day after the Texas Lottery Commission announced that lottery ticket courier services are not allowed under state law. A proposed rule amendment could ban these services in the state.

The amendments to ban courier services would be proposed to the Texas Lottery Commission board on March 4. On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Texas Senate voted unanimously to pass a fast-tracked bill that would ban sales of lottery tickets online. The vote must be passed by the state House and signed by the governor. If passed, couriers could face one year of jail time and a $4,000 fee.

Courier services like Jackpocket allow users to buy lottery tickets online through an app. The  service purchases physical tickets from retail outlets on behalf of users, keeping digital records so players don’t have to leave their couch.

A one-stop shop

Suspicions fell on an $83.5 million winning ticket in Austin on February 17. The state’s Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he launched an investigation into the win, alleging that not only was the winning ticket purchased through a courier service online but that the same service owned the store that printed the ticket, creating an unregulated insular system. Patrick did not name the courier service.

Until the suspension, Jackpocket offered Powerball, Mega Millions, state lottery, and scratch-off tickets in Texas. Jackpocket is still available in 18 states and Puerto Rico.

Will other courier services follow suit?

Other courier services available in Texas include theLotter, Jackpot.com, Mido Lotto, and Lotto.com. TheLotter told Lottery USA that they are not currently planning any changes in service at the moment.

Lotto.com told Lottery USA:

Lotto.com echoes the sentiment recently shared by the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers. We maintain that lottery couriers have operated legally in Texas since 2019, and we are disappointed by the sudden announcement issued by the Lottery yesterday. Lotto.com will continue advocating for a regulatory solution to ensure millions of Texans can safely and conveniently order lottery tickets.

As of press time, other courier services have not responded to inquiries.

The lingering lawsuit

The Texas Lottery Commission has been busy this month. The campaign against courier services came days after a lawsuit was filed against the Texas Lottery Commission. The class action suit is centered around an April 2023 $95 million state lotto win, and it alleges that commission leaders engaged in criminal behavior, including money laundering, child labor, and the manipulation of lottery outcomes.

Comments

0
Loading comments

Related articles

A photo of a calendar with a day marked as lucky with a four-leaf clover.
The luckiest days for lottery wins — are you playing on the right one?

Some days, we see more lottery wins than others. Is it luck or just coincidence?

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

A Texas Lottery advertisement at a local retailer.
Did Lottery.com steal the $95 million Lotto Texas jackpot?

Were Lottery.com officials behind Rook TX?

Alex Cramer profile pic

Alex Cramer

Drone view of the Indiana Statehouse.
Indiana's lottery courier ban just one signature away

Indiana moves to criminalize lottery courier services, following Texas' crackdown. Is convenience worth the risk?

Samantha Herscher profile pic

Samantha Herscher

Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon, Maine, where the $1.35 billion winning Mega Millions ticket was sold.
Amid family drama, $1.35 billion winner may have to reveal name in court

$1.35 billion winner sued his baby's mother to protect privacy. It backfired.

Halley Bondy profile pic

Halley Bondy

Recent articles

View All
Freedom Market, located at 1071 Freedom Road in Cranberry Township, Butler County.
Match 6 delivers back-to-back jackpot wins in Pennsylvania

One topped $2.3 million, the other hit $500K — who will step forward to claim the cash?

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

The North Carolina legislative building.
Bills could change lottery winner anonymity in North Carolina

How much will North Carolina players have to win to remain anonymous? A new bill could change everything.

Halley Bondy profile pic

Halley Bondy

An Easter Sunday basket with easter eggs and a bunny.
The Easter Bunny is here, but Louisiana's lottery takes the day off

The lottery's hitting pause for Easter in Louisiana, but what about the rest of the U.S.?

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Paul Williams.
Man jailed in shocking lottery ticket fight that ended in deadly gunfire

A fight over a lottery ticket ends with a man being shot and the 70-year-old alleged shooter behind bars.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold