Jackpocket Mega Millions Win A Triumph Of ‘Leveraging Technology For Convenience,’ Sullivan Says

The fact that a lottery customer using the Jackpocket courier app won the Mega Millions jackpot last Friday for an advertised $112 million should have been the dominant lottery news story of the weekend. But then the very next day, Powerball hit for almost three times as much money — $329 million — and the story became the rare back-to-back grand prize wins.

A few days on, though, that lightning-strikes-twice buzz has subsided, and there’s no doubt what the news with broader lasting implications for the industry is. The first nine-figure prize ever sold via the Jackpocket app could prove a game-changer in terms of awareness.

“Lottery courier apps like Jackpocket are becoming increasingly popular as players embrace innovative technology and search for a more convenient way to play their favorite games,” Pete Sullivan, the senior vice president of lottery at DraftKings (Jackpocket’s parent company), told Lottery Geeks. “Leveraging technology for convenience has become an integral part of daily life for many Americans, and Jackpocket exemplifies this trend. Big jackpots always draw significant attention, and we are thrilled to be part of it in celebrating this life-changing win.”

A pocketful of milestones

Sullivan described the $112 million win in Arizona as “a huge milestone for Jackpocket.”

Here’s a timeline of other notable milestones for the courier company:

• 2013: Jackpocket is founded in 2013 by Peter Sullivan.
• October 2018: Jackpocket announces it has raised $16 million in venture capital in a Series B round of financing.
• November 2018: The company receives responsible gaming certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
• May 2019: Jackpocket app introduces “Private Pools” feature.
• December 2019: The app comes to New Jersey, its fourth state.
• January 2021: New York welcomes Jackpocket, becoming the app’s 10th jurisdiction (nine states, plus Washington, D.C.)
• February 2021: New York licensing helps Jackpocket secure $50 million Series C funding round.
• October 2021: Player in New Jersey wins $9.4 million on a Pick 6 Lotto Jackpocket purchase, the largest prize won on the app to that point.
• November 2021: Jackpocket’s growth continues with $120 million in Series D funding.
• December 2021: Company announces Jackpocket Online Casino is coming to New Jersey.
• October 2022: Jackpocket celebrates the 20th millionaire made via the lottery courier app.
• January 2023: Arizona becomes the 15th jurisdiction to approve Jackpocket for use.
• March 2023: Jackpocket releases desktop version of its courier product.
• January 2024: The Jackpocket Online Casino app goes live in New Jersey, through a partnership with Caesars.
• February 2024: DraftKings agrees to acquire Jackpocket for $750 million.
• May 2024: Purchase of Jackpocket by DraftKings is finalized.

Meanwhile, the number of states embracing lottery couriers like Jackpocket continues to grow, while there does remain some political opposition on some states, like Texas.

“After hearing about the win [in Arizona], we are more excited than ever to continue to make the lottery more accessible to players across the country with the Jackpocket app” Sullivan said.