Is Jackpocket Legit? How Much Can You Win? [2024 Review]

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Jackpocket is a safe, legit way to buy your state’s lottery tickets from your phone. See how it works in our Jackpocket review below.
Updated March 22, 2024
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Buying a lottery ticket typically involves heading to your local convenience store or other authorized retailer and purchasing a ticket in person. Jackpocket aims to change this inconvenient practice by offering ways to participate in your state’s official lottery games using a mobile app.

This means you could potentially win millions of dollars from the lottery, all without leaving your house. Learn how Jackpocket works, where it’s available, and whether it might make sense for you.

Jackpocket Benefits

  • Play Powerball and Mega Millions with your phone
  • Play other fun daily games with chances to win
  • Collect up to $600 in the app if you win

In this Jackpocket review

What is Jackpocket?

Jackpocket is the first officially licensed third-party lottery app in the U.S. for ordering state lottery tickets. The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play for compatible iOS and Android devices.

Jackpocket was founded by Peter Sullivan in 2013 as a way to give lottery players an easy way to play. The company has over 100 employees and is based out of New York.

Rated as one of the top 50 Entertainment apps on the App Store, Jackpocket has over 150,000 ratings and reviews and an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5.

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Who can use Jackpocket?

The Jackpocket Lottery App on the App Store shows it’s rated for individuals 17 and older, but you’re required to be 18 or older to play the lottery according to most state laws. Jackpocket also advertises on its website that you must be 18 or older to participate.

After downloading the app and creating an account, Jackpocket will verify your age by asking you to scan a photo ID, including a driver’s license, or manually entering applicable information yourself.

Jackpocket is available in English and Spanish for compatible devices, including iPhones and iPads, on the App Store. The app is also available for compatible Android devices on Google Play.

Although many states offer lottery games to residents, Jackpocket isn’t currently available in every state with a lottery. Jackpocket is currently available in these locations:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Puerto Rico
  • Texas
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Virginia

With Jackpocket, you’re only able to participate in the lottery games of the state where you’re physically located. This means you wouldn’t be able to participate in Colorado lotteries if you’re in Oregon. Jackpocket will use your phone’s location services to see where you’re located. If you don’t allow the app to find your location, you won’t be able to participate in any games.

Jackpocket screenshot

Jackpocket pools are only available in these locations:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Idaho (Mega Millions pools only)
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Montana (Mega Millions pools only)
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Puerto Rico
  • Texas
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Virginia

Keep in mind that Jackpocket is growing and continuing to raise money for expansion efforts. Its leadership expects more locations to be available through the Jackpocket app in the future.

Alternatives apps to try

Here are some other apps with cash prizes to consider:

How does Jackpocket work?

Jackpocket is a lottery app, which means it offers opportunities to play lottery games in select states. This is done by creating a Jackpocket account, funding your account with money, and then using that money to order lottery tickets.

Your lottery purchases are fulfilled by Jackpocket with licensed lottery retailers it partners with in each applicable state. After you place an order, Jackpocket will send you an email confirmation with details about your order. You’ll also receive an email that acts as proof of purchase of your ticket and shows your ticket’s serial number.

You’re able to view high-resolution scans of the front and back of your ticket through the Jackpocket app. Your paper ticket is then stored in a locked, fireproof vault with 24-hour video surveillance.

What lottery games are available?

The available lottery games through Jackpocket depend on where you live and what lotteries your state offers. In New York, this could include such games as Powerball, Mega Millions, New York Lotto, Take 5, Pick 10, Cash 4 Life, and Win 4. Some states have no lottery options available through Jackpocket.

Jackpocket screenshot

Certain states offer opportunities to play in pools with other people for opportunities to improve your odds of winning. If a ticket within your pool wins, the winnings are split evenly between all members of the pool. Here’s the breakdown of the available pools:

  • Public pool: Purchase at least one ticket to join a public pool of players. This is open to all eligible players and winnings are split evenly among everyone in the pool.

Jackpocket screenshot

  • Private pool: Join or create your own lottery pool. The winnings are split evenly among all participants, but these pools aren’t open to the public.

Jackpocket screenshot

If you don’t want to keep track of buying lottery tickets whenever your favorite game is available, use the Autoplay feature. Autoplay will automatically order tickets for you depending on what you choose so you don’t miss out on any drawings. Play every drawing or select the drawings strategically, such as choosing the drawings with the biggest jackpots. Pause Autoplay whenever you want.

Jackpocket screenshot

Does Jackpocket have fees?

Jackpocket doesn’t charge any monthly subscription fees, sign-up fees, or any fees if you win lottery prizes. The only costs you can expect from Jackpocket are service fees to fund your account.

As a lottery courier service, Jackpocket is buying lottery tickets for its users, safely storing them, and alerting players about any potential winnings. This allows users to avoid having to go to the store themselves to purchase lottery tickets. And for this reason, Jackpocket charges players a fee whenever they fund their account, which helps the company cover its operating costs.

The deposit fee amount typically depends on where you live and your deposit method, but is often around 7% to 10% of the amount being deposited.

How do you fund your Jackpocket account?

Jackpocket offers multiple ways to fund your account, though the available options depend on where you live. Here are the six payment methods for funding your account:

  • PayPal
  • Directly from a linked bank account
  • Debit card (Visa, Mastercard, and/or Discover)
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, and/or Discover)
  • Apple Pay
  • Venmo

How can you contact Jackpocket?

Jackpocket offers customer support through messaging options in its app, on its website, and through its social media channels. You can also search FAQs in the Jackpocket help center or send an email to support@jackpocket.com.

How much can you earn with Jackpocket?

As an app that offers opportunities to play lottery games, there’s no guarantee of winning anything with Jackpocket. This doesn’t mean you won’t win anything, but the chances of winning the lottery are typically low. And you have to account for the money you pay to use Jackpocket’s services, which is a fee for every deposit you make, as well as the cost of buying the lottery tickets themselves.

Overall, you could earn a lot of money through lottery games, but the odds are against you. If you want a potentially more stable income stream for your spare time, consider some of the best side hustles.

The available prizes depend on the lottery games you play and what’s available in your location, but there have been winnings of $1 million or more.

How does Jackpocket pay out its winnings?

If your ticket wins a small prize, which is typically $600 or less, you’ll receive the money directly to your Jackpocket account. You then have the option to use those credits to continue playing or to withdraw them by making a payout request and initiating a bank transfer to your linked bank account.

If you win a large prize, your ticket will be securely sent to you so you can claim your winnings from your state’s lottery department. You need to sign and present your government-issued ID to claim a ticket. Jackpocket offers in-app options and notifications to alert you about any winnings.

Common questions about Jackpocket

Is Jackpocket legit?

Yes, Jackpocket is a safe, legit mobile app to use for participating in your state's lottery games. Jackpocket is not available in all U.S. states, but it does use your phone's location to ensure you can legally participate in your locality.

Does Jackpocket take a cut of winnings?

Jackpocket doesn’t take a cut of any of your winnings, giving the full cash prize to eligible players. Small prizes of around $600 or less are typically credited straight to your Jackpocket account, whereas prizes over your state’s threshold amount are securely transferred to you by sending you the physical winning ticket.

How secure is Jackpocket?

Jackpocket offers these security features for its players:

  • Email confirmations for every order
  • Proof of purchase and email receipts with your ticket serial number
  • Paper tickets stored in locked, fireproof vaults with 24-hour video surveillance
  • Paper tickets can only be claimed with a signature and government-issued identification
  • No stored personal financial information
  • Certified through the International Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program

Is Jackpocket the real lottery?

You may be able to play real lottery games on Jackpocket depending on where you live. Jackpocket is a third-party lottery organization that allows players opportunities to participate in real state lotteries. Eligible users in select states are able to participate in their state’s lottery offerings through the Jackpocket app. For example, users in New York are typically able to participate in Mega Millions, the New York Lotto, and other games using the Jackpocket app.

Do people win on Jackpocket?

People do win using Jackpocket. Some have won smaller lottery games like Ohio's Pick 5, while others have won a portion of the Powerball or Mega Millions. You buy genuine lottery tickets with Jackpocket, so your odds of winning are the same as anyone else's. 

How to sign up for Jackpocket

Follow these steps to get started with Jackpocket:

1. Download Jackpocket on the App Store or Google Play

Jackpocket screenshot

2. Open the app and learn how Jackpocket works, then click “Continue”

Jackpocket screenshot

3. Choose to auto-detect your location or manually select it

Jackpocket screenshot

4. Enter a phone number and email address to create an account

Jackpocket screenshot

5. Scan your government-issued ID or enter its information manually to verify you’re 18 or older

Jackpocket screenshot

6. Find available games to play in your state

Jackpocket screenshot

Other game apps to consider

For non-lottery-based options to learn how to make money in your free time, consider these popular gaming apps.

Bingo Cash is one of the most popular casino apps on the App Store and offers players the opportunity to win cash prizes. You compete against other users in a modern version of this classic bingo game, with the most skilled players having greater chances of winning. Check out Bingo Cash on the App Store.

Solitaire Clash is among the top casino games on the App Store, with over 39,000 ratings and reviews. This game offers players the opportunity to win real money by competing against other people in familiar Solitaire matches with Klondike Solitaire elements. Download Solitaire Clash on the App Store.

Jackpocket Benefits

  • Play Powerball and Mega Millions with your phone
  • Play other fun daily games with chances to win
  • Collect up to $600 in the app if you win

Author Details

Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI® Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®, is a Senior Credit Cards Writer at FinanceBuzz. For over a decade, he's leveraged credit card points and miles to travel the world. His expertise extends to other areas of personal finance — including loans, insurance, investing, and real estate — and you can find his insights on The Washington Post, Debt.com, Yahoo! Finance, and Fox Business.

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