Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered an investigation into the state’s lottery system following concerns over third-party courier services and a $95 million jackpot win. Lawmakers fear potential fraud and demand stricter oversight.
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Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the Texas Rangers to investigate two big lottery wins, one of which was a $95 million jackpot from 2023. This comes as worries about buying lots of tickets and using third-party courier services grow. Because of the news, lawmakers are looking more closely at the Texas Lottery Commission. Some have compared the situation to the well-known Enron scandal.
The debate got worse when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked for a more thorough investigation into how the Lottery Commission allows delivery services in Texas. People can use these services to buy lottery tickets online, and winning tickets are picked up and delivered by a third party. Lawmakers are worried that this loophole could facilitate illegal actions like money laundering.
During a heated hearing in the legislature, state Sen. Bob Hall (R-Rockwall) said that former lottery regulators were corrupt, saying, "At best, the lottery commissioners were purposely indifferent." In the worst case, they're involved in the most significant financial fraud since Enron.
There were first warning signs after the 2023 Lotto Texas drawing when the jackpot rolled over 93 times and reached a record-breaking $95 million. Even though the odds of winning are 1 in 25.8 million, anyone can buy as many tickets as they want. This makes people wonder if purchasing many tickets at once changed the result.
As the investigation went on, Abbott stressed the importance of openness. He said, "Texans must be able to trust in our state's lottery system and know that the lottery is run honestly and legally."
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