Texas Woman Takes Legal Action Against State Lottery Over Unclaimed $83.5M Jackpot Controversy

A woman in Texas is taking legal action against the state’s Lottery Commission. She’s claiming they haven’t paid her the $83.5 million she won after her lottery ticket matched the winning numbers, a situation that has gone unresolved for over three months.

The lawsuit states, “Every Texan knows that if you win the lottery, you should get paid. It shouldn’t require a lawsuit to get what you’ve rightfully won.”

This woman, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents, bought her ticket through Jackpocket, a popular lottery courier app. She purchased it on February 17; her numbers matched the winning ones drawn that evening. However, a week later, Ryan Mindell, the then-executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, announced a plan to ban courier services like Jackpocket. This ban was implemented on May 19.

Doe’s lawsuit argues that the Commission can’t change rules retroactively. It claims the Commission is using this recent ban to withhold her winnings simply because she used a courier service to buy the ticket.

In an email, a spokesperson from the Lottery Commission said they do not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit also suggests that the funds for Doe’s winnings may be used to pay other winners or to cover the Commission’s expenses, potentially diminishing the amount she is owed.

Doe’s attorneys are seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Lottery Commission, Sergio Rey, from distributing any funds before her case is heard. They argue that if funds are allocated away from her, it could cause her irreparable damage.

Additionally, this case sheds light on the increasing scrutiny over lottery courier services. These services, which allow users to purchase tickets online or via an app, have gained popularity since their introduction in Texas in 2019. However, a significant spike in ticket purchases raised eyebrows. Recently, a single entity bought 25 million tickets in just under 72 hours, raising concerns about fairness and regulation in the lottery system.

Professor Victor Matheson from the College of the Holy Cross points out both positives and negatives of using courier services. “They provide ease by allowing buyers to purchase tickets without visiting physical locations. However, they might come with fees and legal uncertainties,” he explains.

The issue of lottery regulations is a complex one. Many states have yet to regulate these services, leaving gaps that could be exploited. Only three states—New York, New Jersey, and Arkansas—have specific rules governing such services. This lack of oversight in Texas means that companies like Jackpocket don’t have to operate under a license or seek permission from state authorities.

As this case unfolds, it could lead to significant changes in how lottery services operate in Texas and beyond. The outcome may impact many players who rely on courier services, as well as how lottery commissions enforce rules moving forward.

For more on this evolving story, you can read the details from trusted sources like CNN or state reports on lottery regulations.



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