The discussions around the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) using third-party ticket sales started after two recent jackpot wins involving the services, including an $83 million win in mid-February and a $95 million win in 2023.
Courier services take orders online or through an app, then buy the lottery tickets from a retailer. Couriers also charge a fee to buy and manage the tickets.
Adding to the controversy is that the 2023 winning ticket was purchased thorough a courier by a European syndicate that bought nearly 26 million Lotto Texas tickets within 72 hours.
“ The Lottery Commission not only inexplicably allowed this to happen but also provided extraordinary assistance in facilitating the printing of these tickets in several courier locations, one of which had little to no experience in printing tickets,” Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said.
Senate Bill 28 would ban the Texas Lottery Commission from using courier services. Republican Sen. Bob Hall’s bill was unanimously passed by the Texas Senate.
“When we established the Texas Lottery Commission, our goal was to give local Texans a fair chance to play and win—not to let out-of-state or overseas entities manipulate the system. It’s time to put a stop to this,” said Hall. “Senate Bill 28 (SB28) sends a strong message—not just to the TLC but to every state agency that believes it can defy the Legislature and create rules that violate the law.”
Senator Hall added that he didn’t expect Senate Bill 28 to restore the integrity to the Texas Lottery, saying, "SB 28 will not restore integrity to the Texas lottery. I don’t even know if that’s possible, but it will reiterate the responsibility we have given the commission to ensure lottery couriers and their licensed retail outlets are no longer able to operate in the state.”
The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers was quick to respond with a statement saying responsible lottery couriers exist.
“We are disappointed that a pro-business state like Texas would consider shutting down companies that have for years followed the guidance and instruction of the Texas Lottery and honored the trust of millions of Texas customers.”
Senate Bill 28 is now headed to the Texas House.
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