AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Lottery Commission announced Tuesday it has implemented two immediate actions consistent with its intended ban of lottery courier services in the state on Monday.
The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) said it expanded its “ongoing investigations” into courier services to include all couriers operating in Texas.
The TLC also announced a reduction of lottery terminals at retail locations. As of Feb. 24, licensed Texas Lottery retailers are only permitted to operate five lottery terminals. Any retailer currently exceeding that limit will have their total reduced to five, the TLC said.
“Yesterday’s policy announcement reflects the Texas Lottery Commission’s unwavering commitment to enforcing lottery regulations by thoroughly investigating lottery courier services and enforcing retail compliance,” TCL Executive Director Ryan Mindell said in a press release. “We are taking decisive steps to uphold the public’s trust and ensure that the lottery operates as intended – in a fair and secure manner. Further actions may be taken as investigations progress and measures are enforced.”
TLC announced the ban of courier services Monday following pressure from state lawmakers to ban the services from doing business in Texas. Lawmakers have raised concerns surrounding the services, including the potential for enabling money laundering and allowing underage players to buy lottery tickets.
Courier services take lottery ticket orders from customers online or through an app.
Mindell issued a policy statement Monday morning, announcing that “lottery ticket courier services are not allowed under Texas law and that the agency will move forward with proposed rule amendments prohibiting lottery courier services within the state,” according to a press release from the Texas Lottery.
The policy was effective immediately, but the rule amendments will be formally proposed at an open Lottery Commission Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, and are expected to be adopted at a meeting in April.
