Jackpocket, a mobile-first company helping to modernize and grow state lotteries, appointed Carter Vance as the organization’s first general counsel.

Vance joins the high-growth company, which operates in a highly regulated lottery industry, from Louisville, Ky.-based Churchill Downs, the publicly traded company with racetracks, casinos and the leading online wagering company in the U.S. Reporting to CEO Peter Sullivan, Vance will oversee legal affairs, and work closely with Vice President of External Affairs Andrew Fries to navigate the regulatory environment around lottery services, which differs across state lines.

“It’s clear Jackpocket has been thoughtful about its operations within existing laws and its approach to expansion in each state,” said Mr. Vance. “I’m grateful to offer my guidance to the company where it is now—in good standing with lotteries, compliant in its technology provisions, and committed to its consumer protections—and excited to work with the leadership team, state lottery commissions and their lawmakers to make lottery play with Jackpocket a win-win for all.”

Vance spent nearly six years at Churchill Downs, most recently as vice president and associate general counsel, where he was responsible for all legal and regulatory matters pertaining to iGaming, sports wagering and online horseracing. He brings deep transactional expertise in mergers and acquisitions, finance and SEC compliance, with previous roles at law practices Stites & Harbison in Louisville, Ky., and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in New York. Vance holds a J.D. and an MBA from Duke University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

“With Carter’s pedigree behind us, we’re even more enthusiastic at the opportunity to build more fruitful relationships with lotteries and their regulators,” said Jackpocket Founder and CEO Peter Sullivan. “His background perfectly matches our needs in this stage of rapid growth, and will help guide us as we carve out a path toward efficient regulation and operation of lottery services across the U.S.”