Additional Coverage:
Texas Woman Sues Lottery Commission Over Unpaid $83.5 Million Jackpot
A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Lottery Commission for failing to pay her an $83.5 million prize, more than three months after the Lotto Texas drawing. The lawsuit, obtained by CNN, contends the woman, identified as Jane Doe, purchased the winning ticket through the Jackpocket app, a lottery courier service, on February 17. The winning numbers were drawn later that evening.
The lawsuit alleges the Commission is refusing to pay because Doe used a courier service. A week after Doe’s win, then-Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced a ban on such services, effective May 19.
The suit argues this constitutes an illegal change of rules after the drawing. “Every Texan knows what that should mean when it comes to the lottery – if you win, you should get paid,” the suit states.
“It shouldn’t take a lawsuit to get paid.”
The lawsuit also raises concerns that Doe’s winnings could be used to pay other winners or diverted to cover other Commission liabilities, potentially reducing the amount she is owed. Doe’s attorneys have filed for a temporary restraining order and injunction to prevent the disbursement of the funds. The Texas Lottery Commission declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Lottery courier services act as third-party vendors, purchasing tickets on behalf of customers through physical stores. While convenient, their use has raised concerns.
In 2023, a single entity purchased 25 million tickets in Texas via a courier service in just 72 hours, prompting scrutiny from the governor’s office. While operating in 19 states, these services are only regulated in New York, New Jersey, and Arkansas.
Experts point to potential legal issues surrounding interstate sales, underage gambling, and lack of purchase limits as key concerns.