{"id":833756,"date":"2025-03-13T12:12:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T17:12:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/13\/texas-lottery-drawings-that-paid-out-big-jackpots-focus-of-widening-investigations\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T12:12:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T17:12:44","slug":"texas-lottery-drawings-that-paid-out-big-jackpots-focus-of-widening-investigations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/13\/texas-lottery-drawings-that-paid-out-big-jackpots-focus-of-widening-investigations\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas lottery drawings that paid out big jackpots focus of widening investigations"},"content":{"rendered":"<article aria-labelledby=\"articleTitle\" data-wcm-id=\"2c72f6a5-5147-411b-88b1-05628785cb5b\">\n<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Author of the article:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Associated Press\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a78256cb32a2d8681dc2df9afa609931?s=70&#038;d=mp\"  aria-labelledby=\"wire-company-name\" height=\"70\" width=\"70\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Associated Press<\/p>\n<p>Nadia Lathan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>Published Feb 26, 2025<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>3 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=q02C7aS7woO86S5To8AUsA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=UK62z7szLftdb3IHSL5zYQ 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=4iBdWhngvOzWOhdcVGYk_g, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=Ny6tlmIr9q51gquQBPd08g 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=BhVxm356owfU72x7kom7AA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=14lR_nF-EPR-hezMsqxH_g 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=D-JKVeQuAyvU0c_zA-NO7w, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=EZjsLxSe5U8bYNPIEHWU3w 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=dCpJtymoskfeO1C8OKD1vA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=PyN4h7HkuWOy3zDlRs-fbA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Texas lottery\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=E_DFJDit6LC2pacj8sT60w\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=E_DFJDit6LC2pacj8sT60w,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Texas-Lottery-2025-02-26.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=FVvjjzEX0gItcNjsP0fKyg 2x\" height=\"750\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>Edith Patlan grabs printed tickets from a Texas Lottery sales terminal at Fuel City in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. <\/span> <span>Photo by LM Otero<\/span> \/<span>AP Photo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section>\n<p>AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Two major lottery drawings in Texas that put nearly $180 million in the pockets of winning ticket holders have set off widening state investigations over concern that ticket sellers and buyers may have exploited the rules.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Toronto Sun\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.2.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The Texas Lottery, one of the largest in the U.S., is facing mounting scrutiny from state leaders over how the winners of an $83 million jackpot this month and a $95 million prize in 2023 purchased their odds-defying tickets. Both are among the largest jackpots in the history of the Texas lottery.<\/p>\n<p>At the heart of the issue, Texas officials say, is whether the games are on a level playing field.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched his own investigation on top of one announced earlier this week by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Part of the issue lies with couriers, the companies that purchase lottery tickets for customers remotely. One was used by this month\u2019s winner.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTexas citizens deserve far better than bad actors getting rich off of a lottery system that is open to exploitation, and we will hold anyone who engages in illegal activity accountable,\u201d Paxton said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div aria-labelledby=\"YourMiddaySun2837289609751406275454700768722944\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component data-target-list=\"TORSUN_YourMiddaySun\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<p>By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what else to know about Texas\u2019 mega lottery winnings:<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are courier services?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Couriers are companies that buy and send lottery tickets on behalf of customers online. The practice bypasses state law that requires tickets to be purchased in person. Couriers, which operate in 19 states according to a 2024 report from the Florida Office of Program Analysis and Government Accountability, do not have any regulatory oversight or licensing requirements in Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Some lawmakers have expressed concern about children and people outside the state purchasing tickets.<\/p>\n<p>The head of the Texas Lottery Commission said this month that the agency will ban couriers, walking back years of resistance to pushing them out of the market.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLottery courier services operating in Texas have been a significant concern for many of our stakeholders,\u201d executive director Ryan Mindell said in a statement. \u201cPreviously, the agency interpreted its authority as not extending to the regulation or prohibition of these services.\u201d The agency has since reconsidered after reviewing state laws, Mindell said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who won the nearly $180 million?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Neither winner of the big drawings has come forward publicly and they are under no obligation to do so under Texas law.<\/p>\n<p>The $83 million ticket was purchased by a customer at a courier store called Winners Corner in Austin on Feb 17. The chain has locations in six states.<\/p>\n<p>The $95 million drawing from 2023 was won after the winners purchased nearly every possible number combination, according to Abbott\u2019s office. An investigation by the Houston Chronicle found the ticket was purchased at a retailer that added a dozen lottery terminals to print tickets the day before the drawing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Experts told the newspaper that QR codes can be read by the machines to process large volumes of tickets in a short time. Normally, the QR images generate directly from the Texas Lottery Commission\u2019s mobile app.<\/p>\n<p>One of the state\u2019s five lottery commissioners has since resigned amid the criticism and the commission said it will no longer allow tickets to be purchased through couriers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do not engage in bulk ticket purchasing, we are not part of some organized crime syndicate,\u201d Paul Prezioso, an executive at courier site Jackpot.com told lawmakers Monday. \u201cWe believe that a regulated courier industry is a net positive for the state of Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can you still purchase lottery tickets in Texas?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Texas Lottery is still in full swing and residents will be allowed to use courier services until the state\u2019s Lottery Commission changes the rules, which is expected to happen in April.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The commission\u2019s plan to ban couriers comes after years of insisting that the body had no authority over the companies. It also follows criticism from Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a former television sportscaster in Houston who earlier this month walked into a Winners Corner store with a camera rolling and began asking questions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gambling in Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Texas gambling has had a complicated history in recent years. Efforts to expand gambling in the nation\u2019s second-most populous state have failed despite expensive lobbying blitzes to bring casinos to the state and legalize sports gambling.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters have sought to put a constitutional amendment to voters, but the proposals have not gotten far in the Legislature.<\/p>\n<p>The state lottery has brought in more than $40 billion in revenue and awarded more than $90 billion in winnings since its establishment in 1992, according to the commission\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p> Associated Press<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/world\/texas-lottery-drawings-that-paid-out-big-jackpots-focus-of-widening-investigations\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Author of the article: Associated Press Nadia Lathan Published Feb 26, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read Edith Patlan grabs printed tickets from a Texas Lottery sales terminal at Fuel City in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Photo by LM Otero \/AP Photo AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Two major lottery drawings in Texas that put nearly $180<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":833757,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25737,836],"tags":[16503,5979],"class_list":{"0":"post-833756","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lottery","8":"category-texas","9":"tag-lottery","10":"tag-texas"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=833756"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833756\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/833757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=833756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=833756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=833756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}