Texas Woman’s $83.5 Million Lottery Win Being Denied Due to Investigation

A woman in Texas hit the lottery for $83.5 million last month. But they won't pay her because she bought the ticket through an app called Jackpocket.

Lottery Winner Faces Delayed Payout

A Texas woman who thought she won $83.5 million in the lottery is now unsure if she’ll ever see the money. The Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) and state investigators are reviewing her winnings, putting the payout on hold. She bought her ticket through Jackpocket, a mobile app that lets users purchase lottery tickets, but state officials are questioning the legality of these services.

“I’m being treated like I did something wrong,” the woman, who wants to stay anonymous, told Nexstar.

The woman spent just $20 on Texas Lotto tickets for the February 17 drawing using Jackpocket. Some lawmakers argue that lottery courier services like this are illegal in Texas. Following her big win, the TLC announced that courier services should not be allowed and proposed a rule to ban retailers from working with them. Shortly after, Governor Greg Abbott ordered an investigation into her win and a similar case from 2023, when a group spent over $25 million on tickets and won a $95 million jackpot.

Are Lottery Courier Services Illegal?

Lottery courier services, which buy tickets for customers through apps and websites, have been available in Texas since 2019. However, some lawmakers believe they are against state gambling laws.
After the woman’s win, the TLC suddenly ruled that courier services are illegal and started working on banning them. Around the same time, Governor Abbott asked the Texas Rangers to investigate both this case and the 2023 win, where a group bought almost every possible ticket combination.

The woman’s lawyer, Randy Howry, insists she followed all the rules and should get her money. “We did everything right, and we expect my client to be paid,” Howry said.

Why Is This Case Different from 2023?

The woman is frustrated that her case is being compared to the 2023 win, which involved a massive number of ticket purchases.

“They might have had a reason to investigate that case, but I don’t think mine is one of them,” she said.

In 2023, a group purchased over 25 million tickets in just a few days, raising suspicions of possible money laundering. Lawmakers questioned how so many tickets could have been printed in such a short time. In contrast, the woman spent just $20 on her ticket.

The TLC did pay the 2023 winners but later made rules to prevent bulk ticket purchases. However, they did not act against courier services at the time.

What Happens Next?

On Tuesday, the woman presented her winning ticket to the TLC in Austin. Normally, lottery winners get their money within three days, but this time the commission is waiting until the Texas Rangers finish their investigation.

“How is it fair if she doesn’t get paid?” Howry asked. “Will people still trust the Texas Lottery if they refuse to pay a rightful winner?”

If she doesn’t get her money soon, she and her lawyer may take legal action. Jackpocket, the app she used to buy the ticket, has now stopped its Texas operations because of the sudden rule change.

The woman hopes things get resolved quickly so she can move forward with her life. “This money would help me do so many things, and I just want to be able to do them,” she said.

Governor Abbott’s office stated that he supports the Texas Rangers’ investigation and expects the lottery to follow the law.