Texas Lottery Ban: Jackpocket & Jackpot.com Shut Down – A Blow to Player Choice and Public Funding?

Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

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Big news for Texas lottery players—Jackpocket and Jackpot.com are officially out (for now at least). The Texas Lottery Commission has dropped the hammer on lottery courier services, forcing these major operators to cease operations. If you’ve been using an app to buy your tickets, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Why Has Texas Banned Lottery Couriers?

For years, services like Jackpocket and Lotto.com made life easier for lottery players, allowing them to buy official Texas Lottery tickets online. But the Texas Lottery Commission has decided that’s no longer allowed. The ban, which took effect on April 29, 2025, is effectively meaning ticket purchases need to be made in person again.

The official reasoning? Concerns over security, transparency, and potential fraud. Lawmakers have said they have concerns that online ticket sales could lead to illegal purchases by out-of-state or underage players.

A Step Backward for Accessibility and Public Funding?

At CompareTheLotto.com, we believe in customer choice and accessibility. Lottery courier services like Jackpocket and Lotto.com have made it easier for players to participate in the lottery. Removing this option limits access and forces players to visit physical retailers, which isn’t always convenient.

Beyond player accessibility, there’s another major concern: the impact on good causes. The Texas Lottery raises millions for education and public programs, and restricting access to ticket purchases could reduce overall sales, ultimately affecting the funds available for these initiatives.

How Much Could Texas Lose?

According to industry estimates, lottery courier services accounted for up to 10-15% of total ticket sales in Texas before the ban. With these services shut down, the Texas Lottery Commission could see a worst case scenario drop in revenue of up to $250 million annually. Since a significant portion of lottery revenue supports education and veterans' programs, this decline could mean tens of millions less for these critical initiatives. *Logic for Estimates below

Lotto.com’s Legal Battle – And What Happens Next

Jackpocket isn’t taking this lightly, and neither is Lotto.com. Lotto.com filed a lawsuit against the Texas Lottery Commission, arguing that the sudden policy shift is unfair and contradicts previous regulatory guidance. A district court has temporarily blocked enforcement of the ban, allowing Lotto.com to continue operations while legal proceedings unfold.

The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers, representing Jackpocket, Lotto.com, and other services, has strongly opposed the ban, calling it unnecessary and harmful to players. They argue that couriers have operated legally for years and that the Texas Lottery Commission’s abrupt reversal is politically motivated.

Will The Ban Be Overturned?

The fight isn’t over yet. Lotto.com, Jackpocket, and other courier services are pushing back, and legal challenges could change the game. The industry is lobbying for new regulations that would allow couriers to operate under stricter guidelines rather than being banned outright.

For now, Texas lottery players will unfortunately have to adjust to the new reality. Whether the ban sticks or gets overturned remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure: this isn’t the last we’ll hear about it.

ComparetheLotto.com's View on the Ban

Lotto Expert Oliver Liebscher said "We try to take a balanced and pragmatic view on these matters. Undoubtedly the State of Texas has to ensure transparency, fairness, compliance and responsible play in its lotteries. However we are far from convinced that this type of outright ban is beneficial or necessary. There is undoubtedly a case for ongoing reviews of best practice in the lottery courier area - however we believe that this should be achieved by official licensing as seen in other states such as New Jersey.

Ultimately it is the normal Texas folk who will be disadvantaged by this move, both from loss of choice and convenience - and potential reduced funding into good causes such as education".

One thing we really hope doesn’t happen to a Texas resident (and it wouldn’t be the first time something similar has happened) - they’ve been playing the same numbers every week with Jackpocket - but forget to play them at their local store… then their numbers drop. It doesn’t bear thinking about!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...

*Logic Behind Estimate of Lost Good Cause Contribution in a worst case scenario

1. Industry Market Share Estimates

Before the ban, lottery courier services (like Jackpocket and Lotto.com) were estimated to account for 10-15% of total Texas Lottery ticket sales. This figure comes from trends seen in other states where couriers operate legally, as well as available data on digital lottery transactions.

2. Texas Lottery Revenue

In 2024, the Texas Lottery generated approximately $1.7 billion in total ticket sales. This number fluctuates year to year but remains within a similar range.

3. Calculating the Revenue Impact

If couriers represented 10-15% of total sales, removing them could result in a 10-15% decline in overall lottery revenue.

- 10% of $1.7 billion = $170 million

- 15% of $1.7 billion = $255 million

Since these services provided a convenient digital way for people to buy tickets, a large portion of their users may stop playing altogether rather than switch to in-person purchases. This is why the estimate suggests up to around $250 million in lost revenue annually in a worst case scenario.

4. Impact on Good Causes Contributions

The Texas Lottery allocates about 27% of its revenue to education and veterans' programs. A $250 million drop in ticket sales could mean a loss of $67.5 million in funding for these important initiatives.