What should have been a life-changing moment has turned into a legal nightmare for a Texas woman who won an $83.5 million jackpot — only to be told her prize is “on hold” because she used a lottery app to buy the ticket.
The anonymous winner matched all six numbers in the Lotto Texas drawing on February 17, 2025, using Jackpocket, a third-party mobile app that allows users to purchase official state lottery tickets online. She had used the app multiple times in the past without issue.
However, when she presented her winning ticket to the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) on March 18, she was informed the payout was delayed pending a review of Jackpocket’s operations. The investigation stems from growing concerns among state officials about the legality and regulation of app-based ticket couriers.
According to a report by The Dallas Morning News, the Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have both called for stricter oversight of lottery courier services. In response, the TLC has proposed banning them entirely, and Jackpocket has since suspended operations in Texas while the legal status of its services is evaluated.
“I’m being treated as the bad guy for using an app that was available and widely advertised,” the woman told reporters. “I followed the rules. I didn’t hack anything. I just got lucky.”
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how digital lottery sales are treated across the country. Some argue the woman made a lawful purchase and holds a legitimate winning ticket. Others claim that if the platform was operating outside of state regulations, the transaction — and thus the prize — could be invalid.
As of now, the $83.5 million prize remains in escrow, and the woman’s future depends on the outcome of a legal and regulatory battle that could take weeks or months to resolve.
