Powerball fever is sweeping across the United States as the jackpot climbs to an astonishing $1.8 billion, ranking as the second-largest prize in U.S. lottery history. The massive prize pool has not only captured the attention of hopeful players nationwide but also fueled a surge in activity on lottery courier platforms such as Jackpocket, now owned by DraftKings and available in 16 states.
DraftKings reported that 15 million Powerball tickets have been purchased through Jackpocket during this current jackpot run. The surge has been remarkable, with Powerball ticket sales on the app increasing 130% from Wednesday to Thursday alone, while sales on Wednesday rose 200% compared to the prior week. Competing platforms Lotto.com and Jackpot.com are also seeing increased traction as excitement builds.
The latest drawing on September 3 produced no jackpot winner, which allowed the prize to roll over from an estimated $1.4 billion to this week’s $1.8 billion. If a single winner were to claim the jackpot and opt for a lump-sum payout, the cash value would be an estimated $826.4 million.
Jackpocket’s business model is often compared to food delivery services. Customers order their lottery tickets through the DraftKings app, and the courier fulfills the order for a fee charged on deposits. However, availability remains limited, as some states do not permit online or courier-based lottery ticket sales. Earlier this year, Texas banned Jackpocket and similar services following a controversy involving a group of buyers who reportedly spent $25 million purchasing nearly every possible ticket combination to secure a $95 million prize.
Despite such regulatory setbacks, DraftKings expects Jackpocket to play a significant role in its growth strategy. The company projects that Jackpocket will generate between $260 million and $340 million in incremental revenue, along with $60 million to $100 million in EBITDA, by fiscal 2026. Beyond the revenue impact, DraftKings views the acquisition as a gateway to cross-sell Jackpocket users into its broader ecosystem of sports betting and iGaming offerings, creating additional synergies on a single platform.
Still, the allure of the Powerball itself remains the headline. As of Thursday, the odds of winning any prize in the drawing were 1 in 24.9, while the chances of hitting the jackpot stand at just 1 in 292.2 million. Even with the staggering odds, the sheer size of the $1.8 billion prize ensures that millions of players continue to test their luck, making this lottery run one of the most memorable in recent history.
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