Jackpocket Launches Nebraska App, Continuing US Expansion

Article ByDavid Weir

June 21, 2023

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Posted in: Nebraska Gambling News, US Gambling News, US Lottery News

Lottery courier app Jackpocket has launched this week in Nebraska. That makes it the 16^th state where Jackpocket is available.

The app lets players buy tickets for lottery programs on their desktop or mobile device without having to visit a retail location. It handles orders, responsible gambling settings, confirmation, and winning notifications.

Jackpocket has also reached a deal with lottery operators to offer prize redemptions to customers on their behalf of up to $500. For larger prizes, Jackpocket will ensure safe transfer of the ticket so the winner can claim in-person from the relevant lottery office.

Nebraskan lottery players can now download Jackpocket to buy tickets for Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, Pick 3, and Pick 5.

“The Jackpocket team is excited to offer Nebraskans—long-time lottery players and new players alike—an easy and accessible way to play,” said Jackpocket founder and CEO Peter Sullivan in a statement to PRNewswire.

Uber for the Lottery

Jackpocket was founded by Sullivan in 2012. The Brooklyn, New York City native grew up watching his father’s frequent trips to the local bodega to buy scratchcards and lottery tickets.

Sometimes, those trips would make the family late for social events or sports games. “I grew up just being annoyed with the lottery,” he told Forbes in 2022.

Eventually, that annoyance inspired Sullivan to start what he called “an Uber for the lottery.” The app adds a 9% fee on customer deposits, but doesn’t take a cut from any winnings.

Now, having launched in Nebraska, the company is worth more than $650 million.

Jackpocket aims itself at a younger audience than the traditional lottery player market. In 2021, the average lottery player in the US was 45-years-old. Jackpocket data says 70% of its tens of millions of customers are under that age.

Funding rounds have raised $200 million in backing, including major investors like comedian Kevin Hart and billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

The company is also looking to expand into online casino gaming. It inked a deal last year with Caesars to explore launching an online casino in New Jersey.

Millionaire Winners

Jackpocket now has several dozen millionaire winners across the US.

In November 2021, one New Jersey Jackpocket customer won a $9.4 million Pick6 Lotto jackpot. That was the largest mobile gambling payout in US history.

The most recent big winner on Jackpocket came in May 2023, when an anonymous Arkansas player hit a $2.3 million lottery jackpot on a ticket ordered through the app.

“We’re committed to making the lottery safe, convenient, and fun,” said Sullivan in the launch press release. “With 29 lottery millionaires and counting on Jackpocket, we’re looking forward to meeting our first big winner in the Cornhusker State!”

Nebraska players will get a free $2 lottery ticket for signing up to Jackpocket during the first month. Players must be 19 or over.

Anyone that does hit a lottery jackpot in the future can rest a little easier after this month’s events. Last week, the infamous self-branded “lottery lawyer” who scammed $107 million from his newly minted clients was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of wire fraud and money laundering.

In other Nebraska news, Harrah’s launched its temporary casino venue in Columbus earlier this month. A permanent $75 million Harrah’s Columbus Casino and Resort (plus racetrack) is scheduled to finish construction and open in 2024.