New York regulators are talking about a closer look at their lottery practices after some Texas-sized trouble kicked up in the Lone Star State involving a subsidiary of one prominent online sportsbook. The New York State Gaming Commission met Monday and one of the topics of discussion was the Texas lottery controversy that recently arose following a jackpot that was won using DraftKings-owned Jackpocket.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday he directed the Texas Rangers to investigate two incidents involving the state lottery: "a bulk purchase of lottery tickets in April 2023 and the recent $83.5 million win through a courier service.”
The bulk purchase in April 2023 resulted in a $95-million jackpot win for an entity that purchased tickets using almost every possible number combination, Abbott said. The $83.5-million win this February through a "courier service” was reportedly done using Jackpocket, which DraftKings acquired in 2024 in an approximately $750-million deal.
"Texans must be able to trust in our state's lottery system and know that the lottery is conducted with integrity and lawfully,” Abbott said in a press release.
The Texas Lottery is now moving to ban lottery courier apps like Jackpocket, and DraftKings, despite saying it doesn't allow for bulk purchases, has also said it was suspending operations in the state.
Yet Jackpocket is available in more than a dozen other states, including New York. And gaming regulators there are well aware of the blowup that's happened in Texas.
https://www.covers.com/industry/draftkings-jackpocket-texas-lottery-new-york-review-sports-betting-feb-26-2025