Texas Lottery Under Investigation Over Controversial Jackpot Wins

State officials launch multiple investigations into the Texas Lottery's practices, focusing on courier services and high-profile jackpot payouts.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott have initiated investigations into the Texas Lottery following two major jackpot wins totaling nearly $180 million.
Concerns center on the use of third-party courier services, which purchase lottery tickets remotely and are currently unregulated in Texas.
The Texas Lottery Commission plans to propose a formal ban on courier services at an emergency meeting on March 4, citing legal authority after years of resistance to such regulation.
Legislators are divided on the issue, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick supporting a ban while Rep. John Bucy III advocates for licensing and regulation to preserve lottery funding for education.
The courier service Jackpocket, implicated in one of the controversial wins, has suspended its operations in Texas following the Lottery Commission's policy update.