In recent weeks, Jackpocket.com has been hit with a wave of negative press and frustrated social media posts from players who feel blindsided by outrageous fees and unacceptable payout delays. What started as a “convenient way” to buy lottery tickets online has turned into a nightmare for many customers.

That’s not a typo. That’s someone’s real payout from a recent New York City lottery redemption.She won over $13,000, but after federal, state, and city withholdings — and a massive $6,511.96 claw back labeled “Public Assistance” — she walked away with just $1,472.05. That’s nearly 90% gone before she ever touched a cent.

Few stories capture the imagination quite like someone beating the lottery odds—not once, but three times. That’s exactly what David Serkin of Lethbridge, Alberta, has done over the past nine months. First, he pocketed $500,000 in a Lotto Max draw last August. Four months later, he landed a $1 million prize in a Lotto 6/49 draw in November. And just this past May, Serkin struck again—another $1 million, this time in a Lotto 6/49 Classic draw—bringing his total winnings to $2.5 million. Before you start drafting your own “fortune‐teller” columns, let’s break down the facts, question the improbable, and consider what this means for everyday Alberta players.