Dan Patrick Investigates Lottery Ticket Reseller After $83M Jackpot Win

February 20, 2025 – Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has launched an investigation into Winners Corner, an Austin-based store, after it sold an $83.5 million winning Lotto Texas ticket. The store is owned by Jackpocket, a lottery courier service that buys tickets on behalf of customers. The investigation stems from concerns over potential conflicts of interest, as Jackpocket operates both as a ticket purchaser and retailer at its own locations.

Patrick expressed worries about maintaining public trust in the state’s lottery system, emphasizing the importance of transparency. “Texans must have confidence in the integrity of our lottery,” Patrick stated. The issue raises ethical questions about whether companies like Jackpocket should be allowed to profit from both ends of the lottery process.

Winners Corner has a notable history of selling winning tickets. In addition to the recent $83.5 million jackpot, the store sold a $2 million winning ticket in December 2024 and another $2 million Texas Two-Step ticket in March 2021. This pattern of high-value wins at the same location has further fueled scrutiny.

In 2023, a proposed bill aimed at banning lottery courier services failed to pass in the Texas House, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding such businesses. Following the recent jackpot controversy, the Texas Lottery Commission has sought guidance from the Attorney General to determine how best to regulate these services moving forward.

The investigation underscores the broader concerns about ensuring fair play in state-sponsored gambling. While Jackpocket maintains that its operations comply with existing laws, Patrick’s inquiry signals that Texas may tighten oversight to prevent any potential exploitation of the lottery system.

As the investigation unfolds, Texans await the outcome, hoping for clearer regulations that balance technological convenience with the integrity of lottery operations.