Texas Lottery Leadership Shake-Up After Courier Jackpot Scandal

Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) Executive Director Ryan Mindell is out amidst growing scrutiny over the use of lottery courier services and multiple investigations into significant jackpot wins.

Lottery Commission Chairman Robert G. Rivera announced Mindell’s resignation, effective immediately, in a statement Monday. No comment was provided.

Mindell, who previously served as the lottery’s deputy director and operations director, departs as the agency faces at least two investigations ordered by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and state Attorney General Ken Paxton into the integrity of its operations.

Sergio Rey, the agency’s Chief Financial Officer, was appointed Acting Deputy Director. During its April 29 meeting, the commission “will consider its selection process” for a permanent replacement. 

Courier Controversy Swirls Following Texas Lottery Jackpot Wins

In February, the Texas Senate unanimously passed a ban on lottery courier services. The measure is still awaiting a vote in the House. 

These companies act as third-party vendors by purchasing lottery tickets on the customers’ behalf. The TLC also proposed stripping lottery retailers of licensing if they choose to partner with couriers.

The ban stemmed from a pair of recent drawings, in which both winning tickets were sold at retailers affiliated with lottery couriers.

In 2023, a $95 million jackpot was awarded to a single group that spent over $25 million on tickets. According to Abbott, this gave them access to “nearly every possible number combination.”

A second winning ticket, worth $83.5 million, was purchased using Jackpocket, a subsidiary of DraftKings Sportsbook, at an Austin retail store in February.  In that case, contrary to the other jackpot in question, $20 was spent on tickets.

Paxton called for an investigation shortly after, acknowledging he was “deeply concerned about the integrity of our state’s lottery system.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also got involved, asking the Texas Rangers to expand their investigation to include “any and all matters related to the Lottery Commission first allowing lottery couriers into Texas and any and all possible crimes internally or externally arising from the Lottery Commission’s actions or failures to act.” 

Courier Coalition Fires Back

In a statement reacting to Mindell’s resignation, the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers (CTLC) accused the former executive director of “inaccurately and unfairly” allowing them to become scapegoats for the lottery.

“Mindell’s departure provides an opportunity to reconsider the agency’s politically motivated decisions regarding lottery couriers and restart good faith collaboration between our companies and the TLC,” the coalition said while expressing its innocence.

Mindell held the post for merely a year after his predecessor left abruptly.  

“The governor expects the Texas Lottery Commission to work within the bounds of the law and to ensure the trust and integrity of the lottery regardless of who leads the agency,” Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Gov. Abbott, said via the Associated Press. 

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 Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) Executive Director Ryan Mindell is out amidst growing scrutiny over the use of lottery courier services and multiple investigations into significant jackpot wins. Lottery Commission Chairman Robert G. Rivera announced Mindell’s resignation, effective immediately, in a statement Monday. No comment was provided. Mindell, who previously served as the lottery’s deputy director
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