Texas Lottery Rigged? Woman's $83.5M Nightmare Loss
Texas Lottery drawing, 2009. Photo by Matt May under CC BY 2.0.
Imagine winning an $83.5 million lottery jackpot and then being told you can't have the money. That's the reality facing a Montgomery County resident who is now locked in a David vs. Goliath fight against the Texas Lottery Commission.
After claiming her massive prize in February 2025 through the Jackpocket™ app, the anonymous woman has been caught in a legal and regulatory storm that has left her fortune in limbo.
The Jackpot Win That Sparked Controversy
On Feb. 17, 2025, the woman purchased a Lotto Texas ticket using Jackpocket, an app that allows users to buy official state lottery tickets through third-party couriers. Her ticket matched all six winning numbers, making her the rightful owner of the $83.5 million jackpot. The ticket was bought from Winners Corner, a licensed retailer in North Austin that is owned by Jackpocket itself. Despite the initial validation of her winning ticket by the Texas Lottery Commission, the woman has yet to receive her payout, three months later, prompting her to file a lawsuit in Travis County District Court against the Commission and its acting deputy executive director, Sergio Rey, PEOPLE reported.
When Technology Meets Outdated Rules
The heart of the dispute lies in the Commission's recent crackdown on third-party courier services like Jackpocket. In late February, the Commission announced a policy shift banning such couriers, citing concerns over fairness and the integrity of the lottery system. The ban was formalized in a unanimous vote on April 29, 2025, after investigations were launched into the use of courier services in recent jackpot wins, including the woman's, according to the New York Post.
The woman's lawsuit argues that the Commission's refusal to pay her is based on an ex post facto rule change — a policy implemented after her winning ticket was purchased. The complaint states that the Commission initially recognized her as the lawful winner under Texas Government Code § 466.4001 but later blocked payment, apparently influenced by political pressure and the new ban on courier services, Fox 7 Austin reported.
A Lone Player Against the System
The woman's legal team paints a picture of a regular citizen caught in the crossfire of evolving technology and regulatory uncertainty. She has reportedly used the Jackpocket app for years without issue and chose the convenience and safety of playing from home. Her attorney stated, "She played by all the rules. She did everything the right way... She's just a regular citizen who decided to play the lottery... If you allow a person to play by your rules and they win and you refuse to pay 'em, then why would anyone play the Texas lottery going forward?" according to PEOPLE.
The lawsuit also accuses the Commission and Rey of failing to respond to the woman's inquiries about her prize status. "They are simply stonewalling the winner, stalling and not being responsible or acting with any integrity. In fact, what they are doing is illegal," the complaint read, as reported by PEOPLE. The legal action seeks not only the $83.5 million jackpot, but also legal fees and other relief, underscoring the high stakes involved.
Political and Legal Fallout
The controversy has ignited a political firestorm in Texas. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick publicly questioned the fairness of courier services after visiting Winners Corner, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered investigations by the Texas Rangers and the Attorney General's office into recent lottery drawings, according to PEOPLE. The scrutiny extends beyond the woman's case, touching on a 2023 jackpot win where a consortium of European players purchased millions of tickets, raising concerns about the lottery's integrity.
The Texas Senate has even passed legislation to dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission, transferring oversight to the Department of Licensing and Regulation, signaling deep dissatisfaction with the current system.
What This Means for Lottery Players
The woman's case highlights a broader clash between modern technology and traditional regulations. As apps like Jackpocket grow in popularity, state agencies are grappling with how to enforce rules designed for a different era — sometimes with life-changing fortunes hanging in the balance.
References: Woman Sues Lottery Official After Not Receiving $83.5M Prize | Texas Lottery Player Sues Texas Lottery Commission for Paying Her $83.5 Million Jackpot Prize | Texas Woman Who Won $83.5M Lottery Jackpot Hasn’t Been Paid, Sues Texas Lottery Commission
