Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Raises Concerns Over Lottery Couriers
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is sounding the alarm on lottery courier services, questioning their impact on transparency and fairness in the state’s lottery system. During a visit to Winners Corner TX LLC in Austin, the store where an $83.5 million winning ticket was purchased, Patrick voiced his skepticism about companies like Jackpocket, a DraftKings-affiliated lottery courier that owns the store.
Concerns Over Transparency and Regulation
Patrick argued that courier services undermine the Texas Lottery’s original purpose. When lawmakers created the lottery in 1991, they intended for tickets to be sold at traditional retailers, not through large-scale online platforms.
He pointed out that Winners Corner operates more like a lottery printing hub than a standard store, raising questions about fairness.
He also highlighted regulatory gaps. The Texas Lottery Commission currently lacks oversight of these courier services, allowing them to operate in a legal gray area.
Patrick called for stricter regulations to ensure fairness and prevent abuses, such as bulk ticket purchases that could manipulate the system.
Push for Investigation and Policy Changes
Beyond transparency, Patrick warned that mass ticket purchases through digital platforms could enable financial misconduct, including money laundering.
He criticized the ability of out-of-state players to buy Texas lottery tickets online. To address these issues, he proposed an independent investigation and new legislative action.
Patrick went even further, suggesting that if lawmakers fail to resolve these concerns, they could block the reauthorization of the Texas Lottery Commission. He made his stance clear, stating, “This is not Grubhub for the lottery.”
Jackpocket and its parent company, DraftKings, defended their operations. They argued that their service complies with state laws and merely facilitates purchases for verified customers. The company also supports banning bulk ticket purchases, acknowledging that such practices could threaten lottery integrity.
The Texas Lottery Commission has acknowledged the legal uncertainty surrounding these services. Executive Director Ryan Mindell stated that the agency lacks the power to regulate couriers and has requested guidance from the state attorney general.
Recommended