AUSTIN (KXAN) — A coalition of lottery couriers released a statement Monday in support of a Texas Senate bill that aims to prevent bulk sales of lotto tickets.
The courier coalition of Jackpocket, Jackpot.com and Lotto.com said in a press release it supports SB 1346, introduced by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola. The bill “calls for the prohibition of sales of Texas Lottery tickets to those attempting to purchase all possible tickets for a drawing,” the release said.
Couriers are mobile and online applications that buy lottery tickets on people’s behalf for a service fee.
The release said bulk purchases can’t be done through a lottery courier.
In late February, the Texas Lottery Commission said it planned to ban courier services after state lawmaker scrutiny. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is among a contingent of state leaders expressing concerns that couriers could be used for money laundering or allow underage players to buy lotto tickets.
Despite the ban, Nexstar’s Adam Schwager reported on March 4 that couriers Lotto.com and Jackpot.com are still taking orders in Texas.
The ban could be enacted at an April meeting after a 30-day public comment period, according to a previous Texas Lottery release
The courier group also said it is continuing to “encourage a regulatory solution.” The coalition mentioned Texas HB 3201, which it says would allow “millions of Texas customers to continue to safely and conveniently order lottery tickets,” by licensing and regulating couriers in the state.
“We have for years advocated for statewide regulatory standards, including a prohibition on bulk purchases, and have been consistently told by the Texas Lottery Commission that it did not have the authority to regulate lottery couriers,” the release said.
