Lottery Courier Archives - CasinoBeats http://casinobeats.com/tag/lottery-courier/ The pulse of the global gaming industry Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:50:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://casinobeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Lottery Courier Archives - CasinoBeats http://casinobeats.com/tag/lottery-courier/ 32 32 Oklahoma Lottery Commission Looks to Modernize, Pave the Way for iLottery http://casinobeats.com/2025/06/12/oklahoma-lottery-commission-looks-to-modernize-pave-the-way-for-ilottery/ Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:49:55 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=112286 The Oklahoma Lottery Commission (OLC) is seeking to enhance the digital experience for lottery players, which could ultimately lead to the ability to offer online lottery (iLottery) sales. OLC has issued a Request for Proposal, seeking vendors to provide digital services that will enhance the lottery’s loyalty program, improve ticket verification, and enhance the app. […]

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The Oklahoma Lottery Commission (OLC) is seeking to enhance the digital experience for lottery players, which could ultimately lead to the ability to offer online lottery (iLottery) sales.

OLC has issued a Request for Proposal, seeking vendors to provide digital services that will enhance the lottery’s loyalty program, improve ticket verification, and enhance the app. Per the Request for Proposal, the specific upgrades include:

  • Website and mobile app services
  • Loyalty Platform: Players Club
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform
  • A foundation that allows the OLC to launch an iLottery business model if granted legislative authority in the future
  • Personnel Support
  • Added Value

OLC’s requirements for vendors include being able to integrate the new apps with the commission’s existing system and meet strict security and data standards.

The vendor must also “ have an active U.S. iLottery business model capable of launching within 6–12 months of OLC authorization.”

While OTC has not confirmed that it intends to launch iLottery, it’s looking to position itself to be ready in case lawmakers pass a bill to authorize it.

Legislative Changes Needed for an Oklahoma iLottery

As online casino expansion in the US has stalled in recent years, some states are turning to online lotteries for an additional source of tax revenue.

For some, implementation is relatively easy. They need a regulatory change, such as an amendment to the state’s lottery commission rules. Examples of US jurisdictions taking that path include North Carolina, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and most recently, Kansas.

However, for others, including Oklahoma, the process requires legislative approval. That means unless the state Legislature passes a new law or amends existing statutes, the OLC does not have the authority to offer iLottery.

That will not happen this year as the legislative session ended on May 30. The session did see one proposal, Senate Bill 164, which would have defined “online gaming” and directly authorized the purchase of lottery tickets through a computer or an app.

While the bill narrowly passed through the initial committee, it faced opposition. Some lawmakers feared it would violate exclusivity provisions of the gaming compacts with native American tribes.

At that time, lawmakers were placing a higher focus on two bills that would exclusively allow tribal sports betting. Both bills passed in the House, but ran out of time in the Senate.

OK Could Join a Growing List of States With iLottery

If online lottery eventually does come to Oklahoma, the state will join over a dozen others with some sort of online lottery purchases:

  • Connecticut (draw only)
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Kentucky
  • Maine(draw only)
  • Maryland (draw only)
  • Michigan
  • Kansas
  • New Hampshire
  • New York* (draw only)
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota (draw only)
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island (eInstants only)
  • Virginia
  • Washington D.C.
  • West Virginia

*by subscription only

Kansas was the latest state to launch online lottery sales in February. Massachusetts expects to join the list in 2026 after it pushed its original forecast from this fall.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Lottery Commission approved online sales last year, but it’s facing opposition from lawmakers.

Lottery Couriers Have Filled the iLottery Gap in Many States

Online lottery ticket purchases are available in over a dozen states, and the list is growing. Additionally, in many states without state-run online options, lottery players can purchase tickets online through licensed lottery couriers.

These couriers, including Jackpocket, Jackpot.com, Lotto.com, and theLotter, act as a middleman. The user places a lottery ticket order through their app, and the courier purchases the ticket on their behalf, sending them a confirmation.

If the ticket is a winner, the courier will automatically pay prizes of $600 or less directly through the app. For larger prizes, the courier arranges the delivery of the physical ticket. The user must then claim the prize in person.

While licensed, lottery couriers are usually unregulated, except in New Jersey and New York. As a result, Jackpocket has recently found itself at the center of a scandal in Texas that could lead to the abolishment of the Texas Lottery Commission.

Meanwhile, in Connecticut, a bill that bans lottery couriers and sweepstakes casinos awaits Governor Ned Lamont’s signature to become a law.

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Bill to Dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission Advances to Governor’s Desk for Signature http://casinobeats.com/2025/06/03/bill-to-dissolve-the-texas-lottery-commission-advances-to-governors-desk-for-signature/ Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=111426 The Texas House and Senate have passed and signed a bill to dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC), sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for a signature. If implemented, Senate Bill 3070 (SB 3070), introduced by Sen. Bob Hall, would transfer authority over lottery operations to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Meanwhile, […]

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The Texas House and Senate have passed and signed a bill to dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC), sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for a signature.

If implemented, Senate Bill 3070 (SB 3070), introduced by Sen. Bob Hall, would transfer authority over lottery operations to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Meanwhile, TLC, which currently oversees the Texas Lottery, will cease operations.

Integrity Concerns Spark Calls to Dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission

The bill’s passage comes amid months of scrutiny over TLC and questions about its integrity, following one player’s win of an $83.5 million jackpot in February using the lottery courier app Jackpocket.

Lottery couriers enable users to place lottery ticket orders through their app and purchase the physical ticket on the player’s behalf. While available in over a dozen states, most, including Texas, do not regulate lottery couriers.

Following the news regarding the jackpot, TLC vowed to ban lottery couriers. Meanwhile, Governor Abbott called for an investigation into the matter.

That investigation discovered that another jackpot of $95 million involved a lottery courier. A secret syndicate won that 2023 jackpot after spending $26 million on tickets. According to Abbott, the syndicate purchased “nearly every possible number combination.”

The discovery led Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to ask the Texas Rangers to investigate TLC in more detail, as well as why the state had allowed lottery couriers in the first place.

Meanwhile, state Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that he was “deeply concerned about the integrity of our state’s lottery system.”

The growing scrutiny led to the resignation of the commission’s Executive Director, Ryan Mindell, in April. Shortly after, in an attempt to restore public trust, the TLC voted to ban lottery couriers.

Key Provisions of SB 3070

During the TLC investigation, Abbott stated that Texans must be able to trust the state’s lottery system and know that it is conducted with integrity and in accordance with the law.

One solution proposed by some lawmakers was to abolish the Texas lottery entirely. That is still an option under one of the provisions of SB 3070. However, a full ban did not gather support.

SB 3070, however, moved quickly through the legislature. In addition to dissolving TLC and transferring authority to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, key provisions include:

  • Limit of 100 tickets in a single transaction.
  • Ban on online lottery ticket sales.
  • Establishment of a Lottery Advisory Committee for external recommendations on lottery operations.
  • The Sunset Advisory Commission must review the lottery before August 31, 2027, and authorize its continuation.
  • If Abbott signs SB 3070 into law, TLC will cease operations after September 1, 2025.

TLC is Facing a Lawsuit for an Unpaid Jackpot

As the TLC faces imminent dissolution, it’s also a defendant in a lawsuit by the winner of the $83.5 million jackpot. 

The plaintiff, identifying as Jane Doe, claims that she has yet to receive her prize and that TLC is withholding her winnings illegally.

Jane Doe states that she purchased a ticket through Jackpocket from Winners Circle, a licensed lottery retailer in Austin. After she won, Doe claims that she presented her ticket to the TLC on March 18. At the time, the commission did not state it was invalid in any way.

And while TLC voted to ban lottery couriers, the lawsuit claims the commission is “not allowed to change the rules after the drawing”, thus arguing a retroactive ban is invalid.

Given that the Texas Lottery Commission may cease to exist, it remains to be seen what will happen with this lawsuit.

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Texas Woman Sues Lottery Commission Over Unpaid $83.5M Jackpot http://casinobeats.com/2025/05/28/texas-woman-sues-lottery-commission-over-unpaid-83-5m-jackpot/ Wed, 28 May 2025 14:37:10 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=110763 The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is facing a lawsuit after being accused of failing to pay a woman the $83.5 million jackpot she won in February. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff, who identifies herself as Jane Doe, purchased a lottery ticket on February 17 for the “Lotto Texas” game through the lottery courier service […]

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The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is facing a lawsuit after being accused of failing to pay a woman the $83.5 million jackpot she won in February.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff, who identifies herself as Jane Doe, purchased a lottery ticket on February 17 for the “Lotto Texas” game through the lottery courier service Jackpocket.

Lottery couriers, such as Jackpocket, allow users to place orders for tickets through their app, after which they purchase the physical ticket on the user’s behalf.

If the ticket is a winner, the app pays winnings directly under $600, while for bigger prizes, it delivers the physical ticket to the user. Then, they must claim the award in person.

Doe Claims TLC Is Illegally Withholding Her Winnings

The plaintiff claims that Jackpocket bought the ticket on her behalf from the Winners Corner, a licensed lottery retailer in Austin. That night, she won the $83.5 million jackpot.

However, a week later, the TLC announced that it would ban lottery couriers, which are unregulated in Texas. The move was made official about two months later, when the commission voted unanimously to ban the couriers.

According to the lawsuit, the commission is “not allowed to change the rules after the drawing”. It claims that it’s trying to refuse to pay Doe’s winning through a retroactive ban. 

Doe says she presented her ticket to the TLC on March 18. At the time, the commission did not claim it was invalid in any way.

Lottery Couriers Under Scrutiny in Texas

Jane Doe’s jackpot, which was the fifth-highest in the state’s history, made headlines in February. 

Soon after it was revealed that the winning ticket was bought through Jackpocket, a subsidiary of DraftKings, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for an investigation into the matter.

Investigations later revealed a scheme involving lottery couriers, which led to the winning of a $95 million jackpot in 2023. 

In the 2023 case, a secret syndicate led by a British former banker and a Tasmanian gambler purchased 26 million tickets at $1. 

As a result, the syndicate bought almost all possible combinations. The syndicate was able to purchase that many tickets by using a lottery courier.

The news shook Texas, and authorities launched an investigation into TLC’s integrity. The growing security led to the resignation of the commission’s Executive Director, Ryan Mindell, in April.

Texas Lottery Commission on the Brink of Abolition

While Jane Doe’s $83.5 million jackpot caused uproar, the unveiling of the $95 million jackpot scheme has led to calls for the abolishment of TLC after questions over its integrity. 

Senate Bill 3070, which seeks to abolish the commission and establish strict rules regarding ticket purchasing, passed the House on May 26, following its passage in the Senate on May 15. It now awaits the governor’s signature.

Under the bill’s provisions, oversight of the lottery will transfer to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Other key provisions include:

  • Ban on online ticket sales.
  • Limit of 100 tickets in a single transaction.
  • The lottery will be subject to a review by the Sunset Advisory Commission before August 31, 2027. If the commission does not authorize it, it will abolish the lottery.
  • Individuals with felony convictions or offenses are ineligible for employment related to lottery operations.
  • Establishment of a Lottery Advisory Committee to provide external expertise and recommendations on lottery operations.

It’s unknown what will happen to Jane Doe’s lawsuit if the Texas Lottery Commission ceases to exist.

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Oregon Lottery Winners May Soon Gain Anonymity http://casinobeats.com/2025/05/02/oregon-lottery-winners-may-soon-gain-anonymity/ Fri, 02 May 2025 14:37:38 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=108013 Oregon lottery winners will soon be able to hide behind the cloak of anonymity. On Tuesday, state lawmakers approved House Bill 3115, which would eliminate a key transparency measure to preserve the public’s trust in the state lottery. After passing by 23 votes to 5, the bill now heads to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk for […]

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Oregon lottery winners will soon be able to hide behind the cloak of anonymity.

On Tuesday, state lawmakers approved House Bill 3115, which would eliminate a key transparency measure to preserve the public’s trust in the state lottery.

After passing by 23 votes to 5, the bill now heads to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk for her signature. Notably, according to local news outlet The Oregonian, Kotek has yet to signal her intentions.

Oregon Safety Concerns Raised with Lottery Disclosure of Names

Oregon is one of 23 states that release the names of its lottery winners to the public. This has raised safety concerns amongst proponents of the bill.

Darian Stanford, an attorney who works with TheLotter, a courier service owned by a company in Malta, testified that winners are subject to a “lottery curse,” in which they face doxxing and harassment.

While the Oregon House passed a bill in 2019 that would have granted anonymity to winners of multi-state contests, like Powerball, the measure died in the Senate before it could be brought to a full vote.

Under HB 3115, winners’ names will only be released with written consent.

Resale Markets Also Under Fire

The bill also restricts lottery winners from reselling their tickets to third parties at a discount.

An investigation by the Oregonian found instances in which original tickets are bought for as little as 50 cents on the dollar before they’re resold at full value. This allows sellers to avoid debts such as child support, while winners can write off the purchase as a business expense come tax season.

That measure passed through the House with a 9-1 vote, with Rep. Jamie Cate the lone dissenter.

The bill would effectively prohibit tickets from being resold and also prevent buyers from deducting them from their taxable income.

Transparency a Pressing Issue

Lottery transparency has been a hot topic in the industry recently. The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) unanimously agreed Tuesday to ban couriers from selling tickets online following investigations into a pair of jackpot wins.

Couriers act as third-party vendors by purchasing tickets on the customers’ behalf.

In 2023, a $95 million jackpot was awarded to a single group that spent over $25 million on tickets to purchase nearly every number combination.

In February, a second winning ticket for $83.5 million was bought at a Texas retail store using Jackpocket, a subsidiary of DraftKings Sportsbook.

TLC Executive Director Ryan Mindell resigned on April 21 in the wake of the controversial wins. 

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Texas Lottery Commission Vote to Ban Courier Services Amid Integrity Probe http://casinobeats.com/2025/05/02/texas-lottery-commission-vote-to-ban-courier-services-amid-integrity-probe/ Fri, 02 May 2025 14:14:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=108001 The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) has unanimously voted to ban lottery courier services in the state.   The ban comes a week after TLC’s executive Director, Ryan Mindell, stepped down from his position due to increased scrutiny aimed at the organisation from the state’s authorities and lawmakers. Jackpot Wins Trigger Scrutiny of Online Couriers Governor […]

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The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) has unanimously voted to ban lottery courier services in the state.  

The ban comes a week after TLC’s executive Director, Ryan Mindell, stepped down from his position due to increased scrutiny aimed at the organisation from the state’s authorities and lawmakers.

Jackpot Wins Trigger Scrutiny of Online Couriers

Governor Greg Abbott directed the anti-corruption unit, the Texas Rangers, to investigate two major lottery drawings after the winning tickets came from online couriers. In one case, a player won the $83.5 million jackpot, while in another draw, a group won $95 million after buying 26 million number combinations.

Commenting on the investigation, Governor Abbott said that Texans must be able to trust in the state’s lottery system and know that it is conducted with integrity and lawfully. 

Following this, courier services have come under fire for allegedly allowing illegal activities, such as selling tickets to underage customers and laundering money. An ongoing lawsuit is pending against Gary Grief, TLC’s former executive director, who reportedly used courier services for money laundering.

The Commission announced its own statewide investigation into lottery courier services on the same day and decided to ban them soon after. TLO acting Executive Director Sergio Rey said the ban would be enforced immediately.

The decision also granted the Commission the power to revoke lottery sales licenses from businesses that continue working with couriers. Rey added: “The agency will commence with appropriate administrative processes, whether it relates to investigations or respond to any violations.”

Texas Lottery Courier Services Push Back Against Statewide Ban

While the ban disrupts criminal activities, its effects could be wide-ranging. As a consequence, one popular courier service, Lotto.com, has begun legal proceedings against the Lottery Commission. 

The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers suggested the immediate ban “lays bare the inconsistency and lack of accountability demonstrated by the TLC regarding the issue of lottery couriers.” 

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