6 ms·

Show HN: Jackpocket- Buy your $586M Mega Millions ticket right from your phone

27 points by pjsullivan3 13y ago

pjsullivan3 13y ago
We've been super quiet about this and are not really ready to ship yet (bunch of bugs) but decided to let you guys give it a try since the Mega Millions is so big. If you're on iOS you can use the code "money" to try it
- rory096 13y ago
  I'm getting "Location must be enabled to use JackPocket" here in VA on my S3 running ICS. Looks like it's attempting to get a GPS lock and timing out before it gets one. Any reason you all need fine location data and coarse won't cut it? Cool idea though- I'll definitely give it a shot if it starts working!
  - lshemesh 13y ago
    Totally should have mentioned this earlier. For now we're only going to be supporting NY lotteries, that's where our tickets are bought. In order to comply with current lottery rules, you have to be physically in the state of the lottery you're playing. We use GPS fencing to accomplish this.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
  - lshemesh 13y ago
    Yes for right now we're only in NY. Would love to open it up in New Hampshire someday.
- mbesto 13y ago
  Good luck with the business Pete. Had no idea you were on HN! - Besto
frankdenbow 13y ago
Showed this to my aunt and she loved it (has been playing lotto for over a decade). If they can leverage push notifications effectively and find a subscription model that works, I think it could be big. Disclosure: I won $1 on this app a few weeks back
danb349 13y ago
Really simple way to buy lottery tickets. Have been using it myself! Good job.
lshemesh 13y ago
Hey HN CTO of Jackpocket here. This has been an incredibly fun project to build. If anyone has any technology questions, happy to answer them best I can.
matt_heimer 13y ago
Is it a subscription delivery service like this: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2013/04/lottogopher-com-wants-to-sell-you-lotto-tickets-online/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2013/04/lottogopher-com...
- lshemesh 13y ago
  Hey thanks for the comment! It is not a subscription delivery service as of yet. We first wanted to nail down the basics of allowing users to select their numbers and get their lottery tickets from the comfort of their own homes.
Jemaclus 13y ago
How does this work? It's my understanding that you must have a physical ticket to claim your lottery winnings. How does that work with a mobile app? And what's to prevent Jackpocket from using my winning ticket to claim the winnings themselves? Not really clear on the legality of anything here. I'm trying to "imagine the possibilities", as the site says, and I'm coming up with a lot of questions that aren't addressed. Where's a FAQ?
- lshemesh 13y ago
  FAQ isn't available quite yet, we'll be adding one soon. Jackpocket buys the lottery ticket on your behalf, and actually sends you a digital image of it. Your trust, and a whole bunch of fancy legal docs are what prevents us from cashing in your tickets. If you do happen to win, we retrieve the money for you, credit your Jackpocket account, and allow you to withdraw the money directly into a bank account of your choosing. Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
  - rybosome 13y ago
    Hey there, Just wanted to offer some feedback that you may want to address this issue more clearly. Being frank, I would not feel comfortable gambling the (insanely unlikely) $500+ million jackpot with a relatively faceless entity, especially without confronting this issue of trust directly. Although the terms page is quite readable and free of legalese, the idea of allowing someone to purchase such a high-value item on my behalf makes me skittish.
  - Jemaclus 13y ago
    Yeah, that's not cool. I wouldn't trust anyone with a $50 million piece of paper that I won, contract or not. Good luck, though.
    - lshemesh 13y ago
      Many people wouldn't trust themselves with a piece of paper worth that much. At least with Jackpocket the evidence is digitized before the drawing. What's interesting is that currently that piece of paper is the only thing linking lottery players with their numbers. Jackpocket actually creates a layer that makes it more secure.
aaronchriscohen 13y ago
Really love how it sends me a push if my numbers hit. No need to check my tickets at the bodega scanner which never works.
Splendor 13y ago
I was unable to use it. It told me location access needed to be enabled even though it already was. Nexus 4 running KitKat.
- guardanis 13y ago
  Hi Splendor, I'm the Android developer for it and I'm sorry to hear you're having issues with the geo-fencing, but I will try to help you out. Currently, the application uses Google Play Services (a connective library for Google Play's APIs) in order to grab your location to make sure you're in New York. If you're getting an error saying that Location must be enabled in order to use it, it means that your device claims the GPS Provider, the Network Provider, AND the Passive Provider are ALL disabled when attempting to grab your location. If you're sure they're enabled in your settings (where the App's error message should take you), I would try restarting the device. If the issue still persists, please shoot me an email at matt@jackpocket.com and I will help you get it working
PeterWhittaker 13y ago
Cue legislative response to disruptive use of technology in 3... 2... 1...! I love apps like this - way cool, and will cause some politicos to flounder and babble and froth as they seek to rationalize and apologize for current rights patent.
Urgo 13y ago
Tip: link to the google play store. Don't 'text me' a link. I can install it from the pc. You lost me right there.
- lshemesh 13y ago
  We'd love to send you to the Play store, but unfortunately the Google Play store is very strict regarding gambling. Interestingly enough, the Apple store isn't as strict. Go figure. Thanks for the comment!
  - Urgo 13y ago
    Gotcha.. that makes sense.. even a link to an apk w/ screen shots though or a QR code would be much preferred. Having a box to enter my phone # makes me think I'm going to get spammed and I immediately click off.
zaarons 13y ago
This is by far the easiest way to buy lotto tickets. I once bought a ticket from a bodega that won a few numbers and I lost it. This way I will never lose a ticket again.

27 points by pjsullivan3 13y ago

We've been super quiet about this and are not really ready to ship yet (bunch of bugs) but decided to let you guys give it a try since the Mega Millions is so big. If you're on iOS you can use the code "money" to try it

rory096 13y ago
I'm getting "Location must be enabled to use JackPocket" here in VA on my S3 running ICS. Looks like it's attempting to get a GPS lock and timing out before it gets one. Any reason you all need fine location data and coarse won't cut it? Cool idea though- I'll definitely give it a shot if it starts working!
- lshemesh 13y ago
  Totally should have mentioned this earlier. For now we're only going to be supporting NY lotteries, that's where our tickets are bought. In order to comply with current lottery rules, you have to be physically in the state of the lottery you're playing. We use GPS fencing to accomplish this.
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
- lshemesh 13y ago
  Yes for right now we're only in NY. Would love to open it up in New Hampshire someday.
mbesto 13y ago
Good luck with the business Pete. Had no idea you were on HN! - Besto

frankdenbow 13y ago

Showed this to my aunt and she loved it (has been playing lotto for over a decade). If they can leverage push notifications effectively and find a subscription model that works, I think it could be big. Disclosure: I won $1 on this app a few weeks back

danb349 13y ago

Really simple way to buy lottery tickets. Have been using it myself! Good job.

lshemesh 13y ago

Hey HN CTO of Jackpocket here. This has been an incredibly fun project to build. If anyone has any technology questions, happy to answer them best I can.

matt_heimer 13y ago

Is it a subscription delivery service like this: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2013/04/lottogopher-com-wants-to-sell-you-lotto-tickets-online/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2013/04/lottogopher-com...

lshemesh 13y ago
Hey thanks for the comment! It is not a subscription delivery service as of yet. We first wanted to nail down the basics of allowing users to select their numbers and get their lottery tickets from the comfort of their own homes.

Jemaclus 13y ago

How does this work? It's my understanding that you must have a physical ticket to claim your lottery winnings. How does that work with a mobile app? And what's to prevent Jackpocket from using my winning ticket to claim the winnings themselves? Not really clear on the legality of anything here. I'm trying to "imagine the possibilities", as the site says, and I'm coming up with a lot of questions that aren't addressed. Where's a FAQ?

lshemesh 13y ago
FAQ isn't available quite yet, we'll be adding one soon. Jackpocket buys the lottery ticket on your behalf, and actually sends you a digital image of it. Your trust, and a whole bunch of fancy legal docs are what prevents us from cashing in your tickets. If you do happen to win, we retrieve the money for you, credit your Jackpocket account, and allow you to withdraw the money directly into a bank account of your choosing. Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
- rybosome 13y ago
  Hey there, Just wanted to offer some feedback that you may want to address this issue more clearly. Being frank, I would not feel comfortable gambling the (insanely unlikely) $500+ million jackpot with a relatively faceless entity, especially without confronting this issue of trust directly. Although the terms page is quite readable and free of legalese, the idea of allowing someone to purchase such a high-value item on my behalf makes me skittish.
- Jemaclus 13y ago
  Yeah, that's not cool. I wouldn't trust anyone with a $50 million piece of paper that I won, contract or not. Good luck, though.
  - lshemesh 13y ago
    Many people wouldn't trust themselves with a piece of paper worth that much. At least with Jackpocket the evidence is digitized before the drawing. What's interesting is that currently that piece of paper is the only thing linking lottery players with their numbers. Jackpocket actually creates a layer that makes it more secure.

aaronchriscohen 13y ago

Really love how it sends me a push if my numbers hit. No need to check my tickets at the bodega scanner which never works.

Splendor 13y ago

I was unable to use it. It told me location access needed to be enabled even though it already was. Nexus 4 running KitKat.

guardanis 13y ago
Hi Splendor, I'm the Android developer for it and I'm sorry to hear you're having issues with the geo-fencing, but I will try to help you out. Currently, the application uses Google Play Services (a connective library for Google Play's APIs) in order to grab your location to make sure you're in New York. If you're getting an error saying that Location must be enabled in order to use it, it means that your device claims the GPS Provider, the Network Provider, AND the Passive Provider are ALL disabled when attempting to grab your location. If you're sure they're enabled in your settings (where the App's error message should take you), I would try restarting the device. If the issue still persists, please shoot me an email at matt@jackpocket.com and I will help you get it working

PeterWhittaker 13y ago

Cue legislative response to disruptive use of technology in 3... 2... 1...! I love apps like this - way cool, and will cause some politicos to flounder and babble and froth as they seek to rationalize and apologize for current rights patent.

Urgo 13y ago

Tip: link to the google play store. Don't 'text me' a link. I can install it from the pc. You lost me right there.

lshemesh 13y ago
We'd love to send you to the Play store, but unfortunately the Google Play store is very strict regarding gambling. Interestingly enough, the Apple store isn't as strict. Go figure. Thanks for the comment!
- Urgo 13y ago
  Gotcha.. that makes sense.. even a link to an apk w/ screen shots though or a QR code would be much preferred. Having a box to enter my phone # makes me think I'm going to get spammed and I immediately click off.

zaarons 13y ago

This is by far the easiest way to buy lotto tickets. I once bought a ticket from a bodega that won a few numbers and I lost it. This way I will never lose a ticket again.