An investigation was launched last February by the Governor of Texas into two jackpots won in Texas. Fingers were pointed at the sale of lottery tickets via courier services.
From dream to disillusionment. The winner of the $83.5 million jackpot in a Texas lottery on 17 February was unable to claim her prize on Tuesday 18 March because of an investigation by the Governor of Texas.
“I experienced frustration, sadness and stress. And now I’m angry,” she told the Austin American-Statesman anonymously, for reasons of confidentiality.
An investigation was ordered on 24 February into this win, and another win of $95 million in 2023. At issue is the system that allows Americans to buy their lottery tickets via courier services that employ couriers in Texas. This practice has been criticised for facilitating money laundering by allowing the purchase of large quantities of tickets.
The 2023 jackpot in question was won by a group purchase of “almost every possible number combination” for 25 million dollars, explained the governor of Texas. Texas authorities want to ban these messaging services to “ensure that all ticket sales comply with state law and agency regulations and to maintain public confidence”, according to Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Ryan Mindell.
“It’s not my fault”.
In the case of the February 17 win, the winner insists that she did not commit any illegal act by buying lottery tickets on an app and is unaware of the controversy surrounding courier companies.
“I’m disappointed. I’m very disappointed,” she told the American media. “I spent $20. I didn’t spend $26 million to test every possible combination. If the lottery commission didn’t investigate the April 2023 jackpot winner, it’s their fault, it’s not my fault,” she added.
Lottery She loses $2.5 million after donating a jacket with the winning ticket left in the pocket.
With the money she won, the winner hoped to be able to “do things for her children”. To date, she does not know whether she will get her prize back. Her lawyer has indicated that they are “seriously” considering taking the case to court.
