Texas Lottery Winner Claims Denied Jackpot

A Texas lottery winner has alleged that she was denied an $83.5 million jackpot because she “legally” purchased her ticket online via a third-party courier service.

The woman, who remains unnamed, lodged a complaint against the Texas Games Committee on Wednesday after waiting three months for her winnings from the February 17 “Loto Texas” drawing.

She contends that she bought a $20 ticket through the Jack Pocket Lottery app from a licensed retailer in North Austin. Reports indicate her ticket matched the winning numbers: 19, 21, 25, 45, 47, and 52.

Although she was recognized as a winner by the Texas Lottery Committee (TLC) on March 18, she has yet to receive any substantial payment.

“I’m being treated like a bad guy,” the woman said, speaking with Nexstar Media Group after showing her winning ticket. “I understand the need for investigations sometimes, but I don’t think my situation warrants one.”

She asserts that her ticket passed all verification checks by the committee, establishing her as the rightful owner of the winning numbers.

The lawsuit mentions that committee representatives suggested she may have unlawfully obtained the ticket, implying fraud or other illegal activities—claims she vehemently denies.

In recent years, the use of third-party lottery services has sparked discussions among lawmakers and lottery officials in Texas, leading to investigations into their legitimacy.

The Texas Lottery Commission has even proposed banning courier delivery for state lottery drawings, citing concerns over fairness and the integrity of using online applications.

According to the commission, courier companies operate without regulation; they take orders online and purchase tickets from licensed retailers under private agreements.

However, there are worries that many courier services and the retailers they partner with operate in close proximity, raising questions about authenticity.

Jockpocket, the service used by the woman, is owned by Draftkings, a known sports betting company.

The lawsuit argues that changes in rules led the lottery committee to unjustly “reject lottery prizes” due to her perceived illegal gaming method.

“They’re just stonewalling the winners, stalling, and not acting responsibly,” the woman’s attorney claimed.

Ryan Mindel, who recently resigned as executive director of the lottery, stated that the ban aimed to protect players who still buy tickets from licensed stores directly.

“The Texas lottery was intended to provide a transparent and secure way for players to purchase tickets, supporting public education and veteran services responsibly,” he explained.

Mindel stepped down from his position on April 21 amid multiple investigations by the state attorney general’s office.

Governor Greg Abbott also called for an inquiry into the February 17 drawing and the related jackpot controversy shortly after a proposal was put forth on February 24.

In a related incident, Governor Abbott initiated an investigation concerning a $95 million jackpot drawing where a group of European players bought 25.8 million tickets. Following these events, the Texas Lottery Committee unanimously voted on April 29 to ban the sale of courier-purchased lottery tickets.