Ban on Lottery Courier Services Implemented
Retroactive Regulation Withholds Winnings
Texas Woman Files Lawsuit After Lottery Win
A woman in Texas, United States, won a lottery prize worth approximately 114.4 billion won, but has not received her winnings for three months and has ultimately filed a lawsuit. She purchased the lottery ticket through a lottery courier service, but the Texas Lottery Commission withheld the payout after announcing new regulations banning such services.
According to NBC News on May 26 (local time), a woman identified as A from Montgomery County, Texas, filed a lawsuit against the Texas Lottery Commission on May 19. On the evening of February 17, she purchased a "Lotto Texas" ticket through a delivery service called "Jackpocket" and won $83.5 million (approximately 114.4 billion won) in the drawing that night.
Jackpocket is a third-party service that purchases lottery tickets from authorized retailers on behalf of customers. It operates by accepting orders via phone or online, buying the tickets, and charging a service fee.
However, one week later, the Lottery Commission announced a complete ban on lottery courier services. This measure took effect immediately and was applied retroactively, resulting in the withholding of A's lottery winnings.
At the time, Ryan Mindell, then executive director of the Lottery Commission, stated, "The proliferation of lottery courier services raises concerns about the integrity, security, honesty, and fairness of the lottery." Mindell resigned in April while an investigation into the matter was ongoing.
In response, A filed a lawsuit against the Lottery Commission. She argued, "The Lottery Commission cannot change the rules after the drawing," and claimed that the retroactive ban is being used as grounds to refuse her prize payout. She added, "I presented the winning ticket to the Lottery Commission on March 18, and was not informed by the Commission that the ticket was 'invalid.'"
According to a report released by the Texas House of Representatives in November last year, only three states in the United States?New York, New Jersey, and Arkansas?regulate lottery courier services.
A spokesperson for the Lottery Commission stated, "This case is under review as part of the Commission's prize claim verification process and is subject to an external investigation," adding, "We cannot comment on ongoing litigation and investigations."
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