The executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, Ryan Mindell, has resigned following heightened scrutiny over two significant jackpot wins totaling nearly $200 million. These wins, involving bulk ticket purchases and third-party courier services, have prompted investigations by state authorities and raised questions about the integrity of the lottery system.
In April 2023, a $95 million jackpot was claimed after a group reportedly purchased nearly every possible number combination. More recently, in February 2025, an $83.5 million jackpot was won through a ticket bought via the Jackpocket app, a lottery courier service. These incidents have led Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton to initiate probes into the fairness of prize distributions and the role of online courier companies in lottery ticket sales.
The Texas Senate has passed legislation to ban courier-based ticket sales, and the House is considering similar measures. Additionally, the House version of the state budget currently excludes funding for the Texas Lottery Commission, effectively threatening its operations. The Commission’s board is scheduled to meet on April 29 to discuss the selection process for a new executive director.
The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers has criticized the Commission for scapegoating courier services and called for a reconsideration of policies affecting their operations. As investigations continue, the future of the Texas Lottery and its regulatory framework remains uncertain.
