Texas Lottery scandal: an $83.5 million jackpot under suspicion of foul play
Texas officials are investigating an $83.5M lottery win linked to online ticketing, raising concerns over fairness and potential foul play.
A recent $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot has ignited a firestorm of controversy, leading to high-level resignations and a reevaluation of the state’s lottery operations. The winning ticket, purchased at Winners Corner in Austin, was facilitated through Jackpocket, a prominent lottery courier service. This method of ticket acquisition has raised eyebrows among state officials and the public alike.
What happened with the Texas lotto?
Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Rangers to investigate this jackpot, along with a $95 million prize from 2023. Both winnings involved the use of online ticketing services, prompting concerns about the integrity of such platforms. “Texans must be able to trust in our state’s lottery system and know that the lottery is conducted with integrity and lawfully,” Abbott stated, via CNN.
.@KenPaxtonTX announced Texas Lottery investigation into “bulk lottery ticket purchases and the utilization of a third-party courier service.” pic.twitter.com/u3XMpkq3e6
— Cameron Abrams (@CameronSAbrams) February 26, 2025
Lottery courier services, operational in Texas since 2019, allow players to purchase tickets online, which are then bought on their behalf at physical retailers. Critics argue this system complicates the verification of ticket buyers and could be susceptible to illicit activities. The 2023 jackpot, for instance, saw an entity purchasing nearly every possible number combination through a courier service, effectively gaming the system to secure the win.
In response to mounting scrutiny, the Texas Lottery Commission has initiated an investigation into all courier services operating within the state. They’ve also imposed a cap of five lottery terminals per retailer to curb mass ticket purchases. Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced plans to ban courier services altogether, emphasizing the need for compliance with state laws and the preservation of public trust.
In recent years, the Lottery Commission has repeatedly said they could not regulate their so-called “courier” services they themselves allowed to enter Texas and refused to regulate. These courier services sell millions of dollars in lottery tickets through an app on your phone… https://t.co/ljn456sMBR
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) February 24, 2025
Response to Texas scandal
The fallout from these events has been swift. Texas Lottery Commissioner Clark Smith resigned amid the escalating controversy. Jackpocket, the service used for the recent $83.5 million ticket, has suspended its Texas operations, expressing disappointment over the abrupt policy changes. “Despite our proven track record of compliance and commitment to responsible gaming, the Texas Lottery Commission has issued a new policy prohibiting our services, effective immediately,” stated Pete Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Lottery at DraftKings, Jackpocket’s parent company.
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