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Texas Lottery Winner’s $83.5 Million Prize on Hold Amid Ticket Purchase Inquiry
A Texas woman’s substantial lottery winnings, totaling $83.5 million won last month, are currently in limbo as state officials investigate the legality of her ticket acquisition method. The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is examining whether her utilization of a third-party courier service, specifically Jackpocket, to purchase the winning ticket will impede her from claiming the jackpot prize. This situation unfolds as Texas lawmakers consider prohibiting such courier services.
Winning Ticket Purchased via Jackpocket Courier App
The unidentified claimant, who stepped forward to the Texas Lottery Commission on Wednesday, utilized the Jackpocket mobile application to procure tickets for the February 17th drawing. The agency confirmed they are reviewing her claim. Speaking on “Top Story with Tom Llamas,” the winner explained she spent $20 on tickets through the app due to its convenience and perceived safety compared to in-person purchases at retail locations.
Prior Winnings and New Scrutiny
The woman stated she had previously used the same application for Texas Lottery ticket purchases and successfully collected smaller prizes without any complications. However, her current claim is under formal review while an official inquiry into the ticket acquisition is conducted. The Texas Lottery Commission cautioned that payment processing times can fluctuate based on the specifics of each individual claim.
Ticket Location and Surprise Investigation
According to the Texas Lottery Commission, the Jackpocket courier procured the winning ticket for the substantial jackpot at a retail outlet situated in northwest Austin. The claimant expressed astonishment at the investigation, stating, “I was surprised because at the time, everything was OK. You could use these courier services to purchase the tickets.”
Legislative Actions and Policy Shift on Lottery Courier Services
On February 27th, the Texas Senate approved legislation seeking to outlaw lottery courier services within the state. The Texas Lottery Commission defines these entities as “unregulated companies that take lottery ticket orders from customers online.” This bill has since moved to a House committee for further consideration.
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Just a week after the winning numbers were drawn, the Texas Lottery Commission declared that purchasing Texas Lottery tickets through courier services is against state regulations and announced an immediate ban on such services. The announcement lacked clarity regarding retroactive application of this policy.
Concerns Over Lottery Integrity and Fairness
The Texas Lottery Commission’s policy change, as stated, “aligns with legislative efforts to address serious concerns raised by players and state leadership regarding the integrity, security, honesty and fairness of lottery operations.”
Multiple Investigations Launched
In addition to the Texas Lottery Commission’s review, several Texas officials have initiated investigations into the legality of the winning ticket purchase. Governor Greg Abbott instructed the Texas Rangers to probe this instance, along with a separate “bulk purchase” of lottery tickets from April 2023, aiming to “identify any wrongdoing” in both cases, according to a gubernatorial statement.
Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced on February 26th that his office would conduct an investigation into these same two lottery-related incidents.
Winner Feels “Caught Up” in Political Issue
“I just feel like I’ve been caught up in now this political tornado of controversy that I don’t think I need to be involved in,” the lottery winner expressed, highlighting her frustration with the situation.
Jackpocket Ceases Texas Operations
Jackpocket has since suspended its operations in Texas, as per a February 26th company release. Jackpocket asserts that it has consistently adhered to the Texas Lottery Commission’s guidelines. The company currently operates in 15 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to their website.
How Lottery Courier Apps Function
Jackpocket and similar apps enable users to order Texas Lottery tickets online for an extra charge. Upon payment, a courier is dispatched to purchase physical lottery tickets from authorized retailers. Scanned images of the tickets are then sent to the customer via the app, while the courier retains the original tickets until after the drawing.
Legal Precedent and Player Compliance
Randy Howry, the winner’s legal counsel, stated that the Texas Lottery Commission has permitted customers to utilize courier applications for Texas Lottery ticket purchases for six years, during which “hundreds of millions of dollars” in winnings have been paid out. Howry indicated that the Texas Lottery Commission informed him of the completion of their investigation and confirmed his client as the holder of the winning ticket. However, a decision regarding payment is pending the conclusion of the governor’s and attorney general’s investigations.
Call for Payout
“She played by all the rules,” Howry asserted. “Now it’s time for her to be paid” her lottery winnings.