Ohio lottery fans would be able to purchase tickets using an app called Jackpocket on the cell phones beginning in 2019. Of course, the Ohio Lottery has to agree to deal with Jackpocket first.
According to a spokesman for the Lottery: “Vendors come here all the time pitching to us. They did come forward about a year ago. We did not move forward and have not at this point.”
The mobile way of selling lottery tickets is expected to especially appeal to the Millennial generation. Jackpocket is already in use in Minnesota. Two weeks after it was introduced in June a 20-year old university student won $1 million playing Powerball. Jackpocket is also operating in New Hampshire.
Patrons can load money onto an online account for a 7 percent fee and then buy lottery tickets (excepting scratchers) anytime they are physically within the Buckeye State. Automatic purchases are allowed, although there is a $100 a day limit.
Players actually place orders for the tickets, which Jackpocket physically purchases at a retailer, providing a scanned receipt image to the player. Winnings of under $600 are automatically deposited in the account. Larger winnings must be claimed in person.
Jackpocket appears to be waiting to see who will take office as the next governor in January. The outgoing governor, John Kasich, has shown no interest in expanding the lottery onto the internet. The lottery director and commission are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the governor.
