Texas lottery drawings that paid out big jackpots are the focus of widening investigations

AUSTIN, Texas — Two major lottery drawings in Texas that put nearly $180 million in the pockets of winning ticket holders have set off widening state investigations over concern that ticket sellers and buyers may have exploited the rules. Texas lottery drawings that paid out big jackpots are the focus of widening investigations The Texas Lottery, one of the largest in the U.S., is facing mounting scrutiny from state leaders over how the winners of an $83 million jackpot this month and a $95 million prize in 2023 purchased their odds-defying tickets. The head of the Texas Lottery Commission said this month that the agency will ban couriers, walking back years of resistance to pushing them out of the market. One of the state's five lottery commissioners has since resigned amid the criticism and the commission said it will no longer allow tickets to be purchased through couriers. The Texas Lottery is still in full swing and residents will be allowed to use courier services until the state's Lottery Commission changes the rules, which is expected to happen in April.