A Texas woman, accompanied by her attorney, met with officials from the Texas Lottery Commission on Tuesday regarding a winning ticket worth $83.5 million. However, the promised payout is on hold pending the completion of ongoing investigations into her win and similar cases.

Investigation Context

The woman’s attorney, Randy Howry, reported that she was informed by lottery officials that the payout would be delayed due to investigations led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Texas Rangers. These inquiries were triggered after the woman purchased her ticket through an online courier app, raising suspicions amid concerns voiced by lawmakers about the legality of such services.

Political Scrutiny and Courier Services

During the current Legislative Session, state lawmakers have scrutinized the use of lottery couriers—third-party services that facilitate online ticket purchases. There are worries that these couriers may enable illegal activities. The woman purchased her ticket through Jackpocket, the largest courier service in the U.S., which has made her feel unfairly drawn into a political controversy.

Allegations and Investigations

The scrutiny intensified after a significant Lotto Texas jackpot was won in February, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick expressing doubts about the validity of the win. He subsequently launched an investigation regarding the lottery’s interactions with couriers. The investigations by the attorney general and the Texas Rangers followed shortly thereafter.

Ongoing Reviews

A spokesperson for the lottery commission confirmed that the winning ticket claim is subject to both internal reviews and external investigations. The commission noted, “The claim is being reviewed under the Commission’s claim validation requirements and is the subject of external investigation.”

Additionally, another investigation focuses on a 2023 instance where multiple entities purchased 99% of a game’s possible combinations through couriers and retailers, prompting questions about the legality of the lottery’s operations.

Legal Considerations

Howry emphasized that the woman has complied with all regulations, suggesting that she should receive her winnings without further delay. He stated that she is considering legal action if the lottery commission fails to resolve the situation promptly.

“The longer it takes for the lottery commission to be responsive to us, the more likely it is that that litigation will be filed,” Howry warned.

Future of Courier Services

Despite the ongoing investigations, the use of lottery couriers like Jackpocket had been prevalent and largely unregulated until a recent announcement seeking to ban these services entirely. Jackpocket alone reported selling over $550 million in tickets in Texas since its market entry in 2018. The company has since suspended its operations in the state, but other couriers continue to function.

Howry pointed out a disparity in how winners are being treated, arguing that other claims from lottery winnings through courier services have been processed without similar scrutiny.