Texas Lottery Commission bans third-party lottery couriers

The Texas Lottery Commission has unanimously voted to ban third-party courier services from selling lottery tickets online, a move prompted by mounting legislative and public scrutiny following high-profile jackpot wins involving such couriers. Lawmakers and state officials had expressed concerns that online ticket sales through couriers could facilitate illegal purchases by out-of-state or underage players, and investigations are ongoing into the lottery's relationship with these services. The new rules empower the commission to revoke the lottery license of any retailer collaborating with couriers. This decision represents a significant shift for the commission, which had previously claimed it lacked authority to regulate these businesses. The ban has sparked legal challenges from couriers, who argue the abrupt regulatory reversal places their investments at risk, while state lawmakers consider further restrictions. Despite representing less than 10% of the lottery's revenue, couriers' digital reach has amplified the impact of their operations in Texas.