Gov. Abbott Signs Bill Abolishing Texas Lottery Commission

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 3070 into law Friday, abolishing the embattled Texas Lottery Commission (TLC).

The state agency has faced prolonged scrutiny for a pair of Lotto Texas jackpots won in controversial fashion.

The first was a $95 million prize won in 2023 by an investment firm called Rook TX. Rook allegedly received special arrangements from the Texas Lottery Commission to facilitate ticket production in buying every possible number combination.

The second jackpot, which had an $83.5 million winning ticket purchased in February via the Jackpocket app, has been frozen by a judge’s ruling. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick initiated an investigation into the ticket purchase, and the claimant — recently identified in court as Kristen Moriarty — filed a lawsuit against the TLC.

Both lottery wins are under investigation by the Texas Rangers, as ordered by Abbott in February.

But you can still play the lottery in Texas

Though Sen. Bob Hall’s bill abolished the TLC, there will still be a state-run lottery. Day-to-day operations and administration were transferred to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.

Online lottery ticket sales are no longer allowed, and retailers are limited to a maximum of five lottery machines. The TLC banned lotto courier companies from operating in the Lone Star State in April.

That was met with a lawsuit filed by Lotto.com, which won a temporary restraining order to prevent the TLC from acting on the ban until the case is settled.

While the bill overwhelmingly passed in both chambers before being sent to Austin for Abbott’s signature, some lawmakers were in favor of banning the lottery altogether.

There have been 53 rollovers in the thrice-weekly Lotto Texas since Moriarty’s claimed winning ticket matched all numbers drawn Feb. 17. After no one won Saturday night’s drawing, Monday night’s jackpot is worth $30 million with a cash option of $16.4 million.