Grief Resigns From Texas Lottery

February 24, 2025 – The Texas Lottery is facing significant controversy following an $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot win. The winning ticket was purchased through Jackpocket, a lottery courier service that also owns the retail store, Winner’s Corner in North Austin, where the ticket was sold. This dual role raised concerns about the integrity and transparency of lottery operations.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick expressed apprehension regarding the fairness of such arrangements, emphasizing potential conflicts of interest when a courier service owns the retail outlet selling the tickets. He highlighted the need for stricter regulations to prevent possible exploitation of the system.

Amid these concerns, the Texas Lottery Commission sought guidance from the Attorney General’s office to determine their regulatory authority over courier services. This move aimed to address the growing unease among lawmakers and the public about the role of third-party entities in lottery operations.

In the wake of the controversy, Gary Grief, the executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, abruptly resigned. His departure came just before a comprehensive review of the commission’s practices, intensifying scrutiny over decisions made during his tenure. Reports indicated that under Grief’s leadership, the commission had enabled certain companies to exploit the lottery system, including facilitating a $95 million jackpot win through bulk ticket purchases by a specific investor.