A new online lottery option in Ohio has ties to Cleveland and Columbus sports franchises.
While the Ohio Lottery still has not launched online lottery in the state, the new Jackpot.com service allows Ohioans to buy official Ohio Lottery tickets from the convenience of home or on the go. Jackpot.com launched in Ohio on May 10.
Ohio is the second state where Jackpot.com has launched, after a successful launch in Texas in January.
New online lottery app aims for convenience and safe gaming
In Ohio, residents can buy tickets for Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life and Rolling Cash 5.
Billed as a “lottery courier service,” Jackpot.com will issue, store and cash your tickets for you. Buyers get a digital scan of their tickets and are automatically notified if they win a prize. For prizes under $600, Jackpot will deposit your winnings into your account automatically. For larger prizes, they’ll deliver the physical ticket to you so you can claim your winnings directly from the Lottery.
In a press release, Jackpot.com CEO and co-founder Akshay K. Khanna said, “We’re thrilled to announce Jackpot’s launch in Ohio, the nation’s seventh-largest lottery market. This is a digital transformation in the lottery fueled by convenience, security, and safety, and we’re excited to help get Ohioans there.”
Jackpot.com has built-in responsible gambling features
Jackpot.com worked to address problem gambling risks when designing the service and acquired iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling. A digital platform allows for technology-driven features that enhance safety for players. The app includes default limits on daily deposits, options for self-exclusion and self-suspension, and the ability to detect risky behavior patterns that suggest problematic gambling.
The app uses automated notifications to offer help when problem gambling is detected.
Khanna said: “At Jackpot, we are simplifying the player experience and increasing accessibility by making it more convenient and secure for players to buy lottery tickets. We’re also offering safety guardrails that set a new standard for responsible gaming — all while ensuring players never miss a draw or misplace a ticket again.”
Jackpot.com backed by Cleveland investors
Investors in Jackpot.com include names that might be familiar to Browns and Cavs fans. Haslam Sports Group, which owns the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew, has invested in the company. So has Detroit Venture Partners, which is run by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s company.
Josh Glessing, chief of strategy and corporate development for the Haslam Sports Group, said, “We believe that Jackpot has one of the most innovative and practical solutions on the market to make the lottery more accessible to millions of Ohioans. We are excited to be part of Jackpot’s journey in Ohio to modernize the way the lottery is played.”
Additionally, a marketing partnership with the Cleveland Guardians means baseball fans have likely already seen their ads.
“Jackpot.com is providing a unique and modern solution to make the lottery more convenient and accessible to citizens all across Ohio,” said Jon Janoviak of the Cleveland Guardians. “The Guardians are proud to be announcing this partnership with Jackpot and are excited to see the positive change this brings, not only to our fans but Ohioans everywhere.”
The Ohio investor lineup joins other top sports franchises backing the company, like the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, San Francisco 49ers, and the Tisch family, who co-own the New York Giants.
Why the Ohio Lottery doesn’t have an official iLottery site
Jackpot.com is the second legitimate online source for lottery tickets in Ohio. The other is Jackpocket, which has offered a similar service since 2019.
Some state lotteries offer their own online option for direct ticket sales, referred to as iLottery. Ohio’s neighbors Pennsylvania and Michigan offer robust iLottery sites with online tickets and a host of online instant games that play like slot machines. But Ohio hasn’t made that happen yet.
The Ohio Lottery has suggested that online lottery is a possibility in the future. But first, Ohio lawmakers would have to make it legal.
It nearly happened in 2022 when the Ohio Senate passed a bill 30-2 to allow iLottery sales. Without enough time to consider and vote on the bill, it stalled in the House of Representatives.
Ohio Lottery retailers oppose iLottery, fearing a new sales avenue will cut into their sales. Ohio’s nearly 10,000 retailers made $296.3 million from commissions on ticket sales in 2021.
