The Texas Lottery Commission has announced a policy prohibiting lottery courier services in the state, citing concerns over fairness, transparency, and consumer protection.
Executive Director Ryan Mindell stated that these unregulated services, which purchase tickets on behalf of customers, operate outside the legal framework requiring in-person sales from authorized retailers.
To formalize the ban, the Commission has proposed rule amendments, under which licensed retailers collaborating with couriers could face license revocation. The proposal will be presented on March 4, followed by a 30-day public comment period, with final adoption expected in April. The Texas Lottery, which funds education and veterans’ services, determined that stricter enforcement was necessary after reviewing the State Lottery Act.
Lottery couriers have come under increasing scrutiny, with critics arguing that their lack of oversight makes them vulnerable to fraud and misconduct. State lawmakers have also been debating their legality, with some pushing for legislative measures to ban the services entirely.
Concerns over the role of couriers intensified after the Texas Lottery Commission, which was accused of being used to launder over $25 million in 2023, sought legal clarification from the Attorney General’s Office on February 14 regarding its authority to regulate these services.
The urgency of the Commission’s action was further heightened by a recent Lotto Texas jackpot win, which raised transparency concerns. The winning ticket was purchased through Jackpocket, a DraftKings-owned lottery courier, drawing public attention to the role of these businesses.
Following the incident, the Texas Lottery Commission launched an investigation into courier services and determined that they should be prohibited. Commission Chairman Robert G. Rivera reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining lottery integrity and public trust, emphasizing that compliance with state laws is essential.
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