The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott Monday, has launched an investigation into two major lottery winnings that involved the bulk purchase of lottery tickets. The Texas Rangers have been ordered to look into a $95 million lottery win from 2023 and an $85.3 million jackpot from this month. This news comes in the wake of a renewed push from industry leaders to expand gambling options in the state by legalizing both non-native land-based casinos and sports betting.
Currently, state senators are questioning both the Texas Lottery Commission and its Executive Director. The regulatory backdrop for gambling in Texas has been a long and challenging journey over the last few years, with the news not helping the case for further expansion. At the moment, online gambling is only legal across seven states in the US, with many players drawn to the ease and convenience of playing their favorite games of luck at home.
For example, classic casino games like baccarat and roulette are among some of the world’s most popular games, with pay n play casino options a massive draw via offshore casino sites. These platforms offer games like speed roulette, slots, and live dealer experiences. There’s also online sports betting, safe and secure transactions, and the option to pay with cryptocurrency.
In Texas, no such options exist legally. However, many Texans opt to engage in the Lottery or visit the few tribal land-based casinos available for their chance to score a life-changing jackpot win. The latest scandal caused a political firestorm to surround the Texas lottery right now, with the Lottery Commission facing huge scrutiny from the Senate as a result.
The scandal has posed questions for officials about the legitimacy of online ticketing firms. The jackpots in question are now affecting the public’s confidence in the lottery, with legislators accusing the lottery officials of corruption. All Texans can use online courier services to buy lottery tickets online. Customers can use an app to place their orders and a third party will then collect the ticket for them.
If the ticket is a winner, the customer will receive their ticket from the courier so they can redeem their money. The Commission argues that this practice cannot be regulated as it happens after the ticket sale, with lawmakers fearing this loophole could increase the chances of money laundering.
There are currently three states that regulate the lottery courier industry: New York, New Jersey, and Arkansas. The issue with the courier services was first noted in April 2023. The Lottery, which has rolled over 93 times, reached a jackpot record of $95 million. A single entity used a courier service to purchase 25 million $1 lottery tickets in less than 72 hours. The investor won and almost doubled their money after taxes.
This month, someone managed to secure an $83.5 million jackpot from a store in Austin. The winner used another courier service to purchase the tickets. The courier service also owned the store in which the tickets were sold. Now, amid regulatory changes to gambling activities in Texas, the Texas Lottery Commission has declared third-party courier services illegal. Under fierce scrutiny, the Lottery Commission is looking to revoke the licenses of retailers in the state that are using lottery couriers.
