In a move that probably surprised no one paying attention, the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) just pulled the plug on lottery courier services in the state. Effective immediately, if you’re a courier, you’re out of business. If you’re a player who relied on one, tough luck.
The Pressure Cooker Finally Explodes
For months, state legislators have been breathing down the TLC’s neck, questioning the legality of lottery couriers and whether they were opening the door to money laundering, underage gambling, and other shady dealings. Turns out, the TLC decided it was easier to cut them off entirely rather than fight uphill battles with lawmakers and risk a disastrous Sunset review.
"...couriers are not legal under Texas law, and the TLC will exercise its discretion under the State Lottery Act to take all appropriate action to stop this activity from occurring..."
The Catalyst: Two Jackpot Scandals
This crackdown didn’t happen in a vacuum. It traces back to two huge Lotto Texas jackpots—one for $95 million in April 2023 and another for $83.5 million in February 2025. Both were linked to courier services, and lawmakers weren’t happy.
The 2023 jackpot was won by a New Jersey-based purchasing group that nearly gamed the system by spending $26 million to buy almost every possible number combination. The winning ticket was sold by a courier-affiliated retailer, igniting suspicions about the role of these services in bulk purchasing strategies.
Politicians Smell Blood
Cue the Senate Finance Committee hearing. The TLC got roasted. Senator Bob Hall, a longtime critic of couriers, called them a gateway for minors to gamble. Senator Paul Bettencourt took it further, suggesting that couriers were a money-laundering loophole that could be exploited by criminals looking to “clean” millions through lottery tickets.
"If I was trying to launder money in this country, I would buy $25 million worth of lottery tickets," Bettencourt fumed. "You don’t have to win many times to make a big difference."
The Ban Drops
Faced with unrelenting pressure, the TLC finally pulled the plug. Their statement painted couriers as a risk to the integrity and security of the lottery. It also highlighted fears about fake tickets, fraud, and misleading advertising.
"If couriers are allowed to continue to operate, these critical safeguards will continue to be circumvented and the public will be harmed."
What’s Next?
With no plans to legalize online ticket sales, Texas lawmakers are effectively shutting out an entire segment of players—elderly folks, disabled residents, night-shift workers—who relied on couriers to participate.
For Texas lottery players? You’ll need to dust off those old sneakers and make the trip to a physical retailer. Because in the eyes of the Texas Lottery Commission, courier services are a gamble they’re no longer willing to take.