AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The fifth-largest jackpot in the history of Lotto Texas, a game within the Texas Lottery Commission operations, was sold at an Austin location which primarily handles courier picks from the app Jackpocket, a subsidiary of DraftKings.
On Monday night, the Texas Lottery Commission announced the Winner’s Corner, an Austin lottery and board game store, sold an $83.5 million jackpot in the six-number Lotto Texas. However, that bet wasn’t placed in-person, but rather through the Jackpocket app, which has raised some concerns if the winnings will stay in Texas.
The Highest-Selling “Retailer” in Texas
According to the Texas Lottery Commission, the Winners Corner sold $127.6 million worth of lottery tickets in 2023. The second highest selling retailer, Round Rock’s Luck Zone, sold less than a quarter of that, totaling $28.2 million. Yet the store is out in a non-descript building, out of the way for anyone who hadn’t specifically decided to go there. So why are they handling so many ticket sales?
According to an employee who emerged from the back of the store, Monday’s winner was mostly likely placed through the Jackpocket app and processed in the store. Her supervisor then came out and gave KXAN a contact number for Travis Thomas, who works for a PR company representing the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers (CTLC), which consists of Jackpocket, Jackpot.com and Lotto.com.
The back of the store was filled with workers, computers and boxes, but employees on-site refused to let KXAN set foot inside, directing them to the storefront.
Recent Courier Controversies
At a Texas Senate Finance Committee hearing, several Texas lawmakers told Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) leaders that they felt courier services were either violating or skirting the law. On Friday, TLC formally asked the Attorney General’s Office what power, if any, they have to regulate them.
They’ve been under enhanced scrutiny after a Houston Chronicle investigation determined courier service applications helped one organization place bets for nearly every number combination in an April 2023 drawing, all but ensuring the $95 million jackpot. Further Chronicle investigations tied the winning money to Europe. The CTLC denies any courier services helped with the operation.
“The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers (CTLC) – Jackpocket, Jackpot.com and Lotto.com – does not engage in the facilitation or fulfillment of bulk purchasing activity and strongly supports the implementation of state regulatory standards, including the prohibition of bulk purchases and the international distribution of Texas Lottery games,” a representative with their PR firm wrote.
The idea of Texas money heading overseas has others worried about who won this jackpot, and where they’re located. Thomas says the apps have ways to prevent sales to out-of-state players.
“Verified adult players may only order lottery tickets in the state where they are physically located,” Thomas said. “For instance, a geo-location process would prohibit a Texan from using the platform to order a Texas Lottery ticket while traveling outside of the state.”
Thomas further added that Jackpocket blocks any form of location spoofing.
Scrutiny from lawmakers
Shortly after this article was initially published, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted a video on X of his trip to Winners Corner, expressing concerns about the store’s refusal to let him film the terminals in the back. He also noted the Texas Senate passed bipartisan legislation banning couriers in 2023, but the bill died in the Texas House.
Next Steps
For this story, KXAN asked TLC how they plan to make sure the winning ticket was bought within Texas.
“The agency is investigating this matter and cannot comment at this time,” TLC Media Relations Director Steve Helms replied. “It is standard practice for the agency to conduct investigations of jackpot winners,” he later clarified.
Upon request for a statement, Thomas sent a press release (below) confirming the ticket was sold on their app.
