A Texas lottery player who won an $83.5 million jackpot is now suing state officials after waiting months without receiving her prize due to a controversial rule change regarding online ticket purchases.

At a Glance

• Texas woman sues lottery officials after not receiving her validated $83.5 million jackpot prize
• The winning ticket was purchased through Jackpocket, a third-party courier service now banned by the Texas Lottery Commission
• Despite ticket validation and confirmation on the lottery’s official website, officials refuse to pay citing “illegal” method of play
• The controversy has prompted investigations by the Texas Rangers and Attorney General’s Office
• Texas Senate has approved legislation to dismantle the Lottery Commission due to integrity concerns

Winner Takes Legal Action After Payment Denial

The unnamed Texas woman filed her lawsuit against Sergio Rey, acting deputy executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, after claiming her prize on March 18 with a ticket that matched all winning numbers: 19, 21, 25, 45, 47, and 52. Despite confirmation on the lottery’s official website and validation of the ticket as legitimate, officials have refused to release the $83.5 million prize money, leaving the winner with no choice but to pursue legal action.

At the heart of the dispute is the woman’s use of Jackpocket.com, a mobile app that functions as a ticket courier service. The service purchased the winning ticket from a licensed retailer in Austin on her behalf. Days after her ticket purchase, the Texas Lottery’s then-executive director implemented a rule change prohibiting lottery ticket courier services, which officials are now using as justification to withhold payment.

Lottery Integrity Questioned

The lawsuit doesn’t mince words about the Commission’s handling of the situation. According to court documents, the legal filing states: “In Texas, a deal is a deal, unless you are the Texas Lottery. When you win, the Lottery should pay you – not stall, not waffle, not hem, not haw, not try and change the rules and not try to back out of the deal. Lotteries with integrity pay the winners.”

The winner expressed her frustration with the situation, lamenting, “I’m being treated as the bad guy,” while seeking the full prize amount, attorney costs, and permanent injunctive relief. The Texas Lottery Commission has responded with their standard position that they “do not comment on pending litigation,” leaving many questions unanswered about their handling of a verified winning ticket.

Controversy Sparks Government Action

The dispute has ignited significant action at the state level. Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered investigations into the February 17 drawing and other controversial lottery wins. The Texas Rangers and the state Attorney General’s Office have launched investigations into the fairness and legitimacy of lottery couriers at the prompting of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.

“The Texas Lottery was established to provide a secure and transparent system for players to purchase tickets in person from licensed brick-and-mortar retailers for the purpose of generating revenue for public education and veterans’ services in a responsible manner”, said resigned lottery executive director Ryan Mindell.

On April 29, the Texas Lottery Commission officially voted to ban courier services from selling lottery tickets. Former lottery executive director Ryan Mindell defended the ban as necessary to protect players purchasing tickets directly from licensed retailers. The Commission has characterized courier services as “unregulated companies that take lottery ticket orders from customers online” and operate through “private business arrangements” with licensed retailers.

Legislative Response to Controversy

The Texas Senate has responded to the controversy with decisive action, approving legislation to completely dismantle the Texas Lottery Commission. The proposed bill would transfer oversight to the Department of Licensing and Regulation, a move that awaits approval from the Texas House. This legislative reaction underscores the seriousness with which state officials view the integrity issues raised by the jackpot dispute.

As the lawsuit proceeds, the outcome will likely establish important precedent regarding online lottery purchases and the authority of state commissions to retroactively apply rule changes. For players who use courier services in other states, this case highlights potential risks in the increasingly digital lottery landscape where regulations struggle to keep pace with technology.