A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against the state’s lottery commission, claiming she was wrongfully denied an $83.5 million jackpot in a case that has sparked controversy and raised questions about lottery practices.
The woman, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, alleges that she was the rightful winner of the massive prize but never received the payout. According to the lawsuit, she purchased what she believed was a winning ticket, only to be informed later that the ticket was not valid due to a technical issue or clerical error.
The Texas Lottery Commission has not commented in detail on the case, citing ongoing litigation, but has maintained that all ticket claims must meet specific verification standards before any prize is awarded. Officials say the ticket in question failed to meet those requirements.
The lawsuit, filed in state court, accuses the commission of negligence, breach of contract, and failure to uphold its own rules and procedures.
This legal battle has sparked public interest and renewed scrutiny of how lotteries handle disputed tickets and verify winners. Lottery officials nationwide are closely watching the case, as its outcome could have broader implications for transparency and trust in state-run gaming operations.
Texas Woman Sues State Lottery for Withholding $83.5 Million Jackpot Over Courier Ticket Dispute
A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Lottery Commission, claiming she is being unfairly denied a massive $83.5 million jackpot—more than three months after her ticket matched all the winning numbers. According to court documents obtained by CNN, the woman argues that the Commission is attempting to withhold her rightful prize due to the method she used to purchase the ticket.
But that’s exactly what has happened here.”
The Disputed Ticket
Courier services like Jackpocket act as intermediaries, allowing users to order lottery tickets online, which are then physically purchased and stored by the service provider.
However, despite the apparent win, the Texas Lottery Commission has refused to pay the prize, prompting her legal action.
Legal and Regulatory Controversy
The situation became even more complex when, just a week after Doe’s win, then-Lottery Commission Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced a new interpretation of state law that effectively banned lottery courier services like Jackpocket. The policy shift became official on May 19, although Mindell resigned from his position in April.
Doe’s lawsuit claims that the Commission’s decision to deny her winnings is based—at least in part—on that post-drawing rule change, which she argues cannot be applied retroactively.
Concerns About Reallocation of Winnings
The lawsuit also raises serious concerns about what might happen to the unpaid prize money. Doe alleges that the $83.5 million jackpot could be diverted to pay other winners or to cover unrelated financial obligations of the Commission. If that happens, she fears she may never receive the money she believes is rightfully hers.
In response to these concerns, Doe’s attorneys have filed a request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block the Commission’s acting deputy executive director, Sergio Rey, from disbursing any portion of the disputed jackpot. According to court filings, Doe’s legal team argues that if Rey is not immediately restrained from using the funds, their client may suffer “irreparable harm” that cannot be measured in monetary terms.
As of now, the Texas Lottery Commission has declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. CNN has also reached out to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office, Jackpocket, and Rey, but no statements have been provided.
What Are Lottery Courier Services?
Lottery courier services like Jackpocket act as third-party vendors that purchase official lottery tickets on behalf of customers. These services often own or work with licensed retailers who acquire the physical tickets, which are then scanned or stored digitally for users. Customers are notified if their numbers win, and small prizes can often be claimed directly through the app.
Users can play games like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto Texas from their phones or computers without visiting a traditional lottery retailer. However, the legal status of these services varies widely across the country.
As of early 2024, courier services are permitted to operate in 19 U.S. states, according to a report by Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. But only three states—New York, New Jersey, and Arkansas—have formal regulatory frameworks in place to govern their operations.
The Issue in Texas
Texas has allowed courier services to operate informally since around 2019, but scrutiny increased sharply in April 2023 after a single buyer used a courier service to purchase 25 million lottery tickets within 72 hours, reportedly covering nearly every possible number combination. That strategy resulted in a jackpot win of $57.8 million before taxes, sparking a political backlash.
In the wake of that incident, the Governor’s office and the Texas Lottery Commission began reevaluating the legality and oversight of such services. A 2024 report from the Texas House noted that courier services operating in the state are not required to obtain a license or approval from the Commission, creating significant oversight challenges.
Legal Experts Weigh In
However, there are also significant drawbacks, including transaction fees, unclear legality, and lack of regulation. Additional concerns include sales to minors, cross-state ticket purchases in violation of local laws, and the formation of large purchasing syndicates capable of overwhelming the system.
Broader Implications
Doe’s case is being closely watched not just in Texas but across the country. It raises fundamental questions about consumer rights in an increasingly digital marketplace and how state-run lotteries adapt to evolving technologies. If she prevails, the ruling could set a precedent forcing lottery commissions to honor winnings from tickets purchased through courier platforms—even in states where the legal status of those services is murky.
For now, however, Doe remains without her prize, fighting a legal battle she never expected to wage.