Texas Lottery Commission Challenges $83.5 Million Jackpot Claim

A Texas woman’s $83.5 million jackpot win on February 17 has been overshadowed by controversy. The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) informed her that she may never receive her prize. According to reports from KXAN, the woman purchased her winning ticket through a lottery courier service — a business model under increasing scrutiny in Texas.

Lottery courier services, operating since 2019, allow users to buy tickets online or via mobile apps. The winner had purchased $20 worth of tickets at Winners Corner TX in Austin, a retailer that sells through Jackpocket, a subsidiary of DraftKings.

However, these services have been contentious. In 2023, a group acquired 25 million tickets through four different couriers, securing a massive $95 million prize. This event triggered concerns about potential misuse of the system.

Legal Backlash and Investigation

Facing mounting pressure from lawmakers, the TLC issued a statement on February 24, declaring that couriers operate outside Texas law. “The TLC believes couriers are not legal under Texas law and the TLC will exercise its discretion under the SLA to take all appropriate action to stop this activity from occurring,” the commission stated.

The TLC also threatened to investigate and revoke licenses from retailers collaborating with couriers. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott requested the Texas Rangers to investigate the recent jackpot win and the controversial 2023 drawing.

Despite the backlash, the winner and her attorney, Randy Howry, remain firm. “We played by all the rules, and we’re still playing by all the rules, and we expect that my client should be paid,” Howry said.

DraftKings swiftly responded to the TLC’s actions, pulling Jackpocket from Texas. In a statement, the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers condemned the commission’s abrupt decision. “Lottery couriers have been legally and responsibly operating in Texas since 2019, while always maintaining a transparent and professional relationship with the Texas Lottery Commission,” the coalition stated.

They also voiced support for HB 3201, a proposed bill aiming to regulate and legitimize courier services. However, SB 28 poses a direct challenge, seeking to ban all app-based or online ticket sales.

With the legislative landscape uncertain and a large jackpot hanging in the balance, the outcome of this legal standoff remains unclear.

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