The executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission has resigned amidst multiple investigations into large jackpots awarded in 2023. Ryan Mindell stepped down following scrutiny of two major jackpot wins totaling nearly $200 million, sparking calls from lawmakers to potentially shut down the agency.
The lottery is facing investigations into the integrity of the prizes and the involvement of courier companies in ticket sales. Despite denials of wrongdoing, state lawmakers are considering various changes, including banning sales through courier companies or defunding the agency altogether.
The jackpot wins that have come under fire include a $95 million prize awarded in 2023 to winners who purchased nearly every possible number combination, and an $83 million ticket won with a ticket bought at a courier store. These wins raised questions about fairness and the use of courier companies to bypass state laws.
Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have ordered investigations into the lottery operations. State lawmakers are discussing legislative action to address the issues, with the Senate passing a bill to ban courier sales and the House contemplating defunding the agency altogether.
The resignation of Mindell provides an opportunity to reconsider the agency’s decisions regarding lottery couriers, according to the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers. The future of the Texas Lottery Commission remains uncertain as lawmakers seek to ensure integrity and trust in the lottery operations.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
