### Integrity Concerns Spark Calls to Dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission
The legislative action follows controversy including an $83.5 million jackpot win in February involving the lottery courier app Jackpocket. Lottery couriers, while operational in multiple states, are not regulated in Texas, leading to increased concerns about their use. Subsequently, the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) pledged to ban lottery couriers, and Governor Greg Abbott initiated an investigation.
This investigation uncovered a $95 million jackpot win by a secret syndicate that had spent $26 million to cover nearly all possible number combinations. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick escalated the scrutiny by requesting a Texas Rangers investigation into TLC and their policies concerning lottery couriers. State Attorney General Ken Paxton has also expressed deep concerns regarding the integrity of the lottery system.
Amidst growing criticism, TLC’s Executive Director, Ryan Mindell, resigned in April, which was followed by TLC’s decision to ban lottery couriers to regain public trust.
### Key Provisions of SB 3070
Among the measures taken, Governor Abbott emphasized the need for Texan trust in a transparent, law-abiding lottery system. Although complete abolition of the Texas lottery was considered, SB 3070 took a more moderate path but garnered legislative approval swiftly. Major aspects of the bill include:
– A limit of 100 tickets per transaction.
– A prohibition of online lottery ticket sales.
– Establishment of a Lottery Advisory Committee to provide external recommendations on operations.
– A directive for the Sunset Advisory Commission to review and potentially continue the lottery by August 31, 2027.
– If signed into law, TLC will cease operations after September 1, 2025.
### TLC is Facing a Lawsuit for an Unpaid Jackpot
In addition to organizational changes, TLC is currently facing a lawsuit from Jane Doe, the winner of the aforementioned $83.5 million, who alleges that her winnings are unjustly withheld by TLC. Doe asserts she legally purchased her ticket from a licensed Austin retailer via Jackpocket and presented it to TLC, which did not declare it invalid initially. The lawsuit argues against TLC’s ban on lottery couriers, claiming it cannot retroactively alter rules post-drawing.
The future of both the TLC and this pending legal case hangs in balance, pending the enactment of the legislation and subsequent actions by involved parties.