Online Lottery Courier Jackpot Expands Into New Jersey, Its Sixth State

Online lottery courier service Jackpot.com has been making headlines with its recent expansion into several new U.S. states. On Wednesday, the company announced that it is now ready to roll out its operations in New Jersey.

The platform’s launch in New Jersey is particularly noteworthy, as it represents the company’s entry into one of the largest lottery markets in the U.S. This move allows New Jersey residents to conveniently order tickets for major draws like Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as state favorites such as Pick-3, Pick-4, and Cash 4 Life, directly from their cell phones or tablets.

The concept of a lottery courier service is relatively new but has quickly gained traction due to the convenience it offers. Essentially, these services act as an intermediary between the player and the official lottery retailer. Customers select their desired lottery games and numbers through the service’s app or website, and the company ensures that the tickets are bought and scanned, providing customers with a digital copy.

This process adds a layer of security and convenience, as it reduces the risk of losing a physical ticket and makes it easier to claim winnings. In the case of prizes under $600, the winnings are directly transferred to the user’s account.

In addition to New Jersey, Jackpot.com’s presence extends to Texas, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, and Arkansas, with plans to expand further. Each state has its own set of regulations regarding online lottery sales, and Jackpot.com has navigated these to offer its services legally and responsibly.

Tapping into lottery success

New Jersey’s lottery market has been one of the most successful in the U.S. in recent times. The NJ Lottery reported that fiscal year 2023 witnessed record sales amounting to $3.73 billion, a 2.55% increase from the previous year. This surge in sales significantly added to the state’s revenue, with the lottery’s contribution reaching $1.17 billion, supporting various public employee pension systems.

The increase in sales was largely driven by the popularity of multi-state games like Mega Millions and Powerball. Both have seen substantial jackpots, some of which have surpassed the $1-billion mark.

In 2023, New Jersey saw a significant number of lottery winners across various games, according to NJ Lottery data. Notably, there were over 1.6 million individual New Jersey tickets that won prizes during a major Powerball jackpot run. Among these were three tickets worth $1 million each sold in Bergen, Essex, and Hunterdon counties. Additionally, the year’s top prizes included a $25.8 million Pick-6 jackpot and a $7.3 million Pick-6 prize.

The success has continued in 2024. This past March, someone in New Jersey bagged the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot.

Jackpot or Jackpocket?

Jackpot has had to overcome several obstacles to find entry into regulated lottery markets but one in particular stands out. It had to face off against Jackpocket in court.

Jackpocket, a rival lottery courier service that DraftKings recently acquired, accused Jackpot in 2022 of infringing on its trademark. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second District upheld a bench trial verdict in March that rejected the accusation.

Jackpocket contended that Jackpot.com’s use of its name was a violation of the Lanham Act, as well as New York common law and New York General Business Law. The company sought a permanent injunction to prevent Jackpot.com from using any names or marks that could be confusingly similar to its own.

The court, however, ruled in favor of Jackpot.com on all counts. The court’s decision was based on the assessment that there was no likelihood of confusion between the two brands, which is a key element in trademark infringement cases.

Jackpocket’s subsequent appeal to the Second Circuit was an attempt to overturn this verdict. However, the appellate court’s affirmation means that Jackpot.com can continue to operate under its current branding and expand its efforts.