A February jackpot remains unpaid, and the anonymous winner says the Texas Lottery Commission is breaking its own rules.
On Feb. 17 an Austin resident matched all six numbers to land an $83.5 million Lotto Texas prize. Yet three months later, the money is still in limbo. The winner—identified only as Ms. Doe—filed suit May 21 accusing the commission and acting deputy executive director Sergio Rey of illegally withholding her check.
Lawsuit claims Texas Lottery violated own rules by blocking courier‑bought ticket
According to the 15‑page complaint, Ms. Doe bought her ticket through Jackpocket, a phone app that dispatches couriers to licensed retailers. After presenting the physical ticket on March 18, commission staff confirmed she was the “lawful bearer” under Texas Government Code § 466.4001.
So why hasn’t she been paid? The filing blames behind‑the‑scenes pressure from elected officials and calls the delay “an ex post facto punishment.” “It shouldn’t take a lawsuit to get paid,” her attorneys argue. Before we go further, here’s a quick timeline of the dispute:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Feb. 17 | $83.5 million jackpot won via Jackpocket courier |
| Feb. 24 | Gov. Greg Abbott orders probe of courier‑linked drawings |
| Mar. 18 | Winner presents ticket; commission acknowledges validity |
| May 21 | Lawsuit filed in Travis County District Court |
Yes, those dates move fast—faster than Ms. Doe’s payout.
State officials question legality of third‑party ticket services in wake of jackpot
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick visited the North Austin store that printed the winning ticket and warned couriers give players “an advantage.” A week later, then‑executive director Ryan Mindell declared such services “not allowed” and proposed new rules. But the drawing was long over. “We all know the Commission is not allowed to change the rules after the drawing,” the complaint counters.
The court’s decision will determine whether courier apps survive in Texas—and whether Ms. Doe ever sees her millions. Could your favorite lottery app be next? Nevertheless, the commission insists it is merely enforcing state law.
If the court sides with the plaintiff, the lottery must cut an $83.5 million check and clarify courier rules once and for all. Until then, hopeful ticket buyers might ask themselves: is tapping “buy” in an app worth the risk?