The executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, Ryan Mindell, has stepped down amid mounting scrutiny over the agency’s handling of massive jackpots and online ticket sales, Fortune reports.
His resignation, announced Monday without explanation, comes just a year after he took the role and as the agency faces ongoing investigations and potential legislative action that could reshape or even dismantle the lottery’s operations.
Mindell’s departure follows growing concerns from Texas officials and lawmakers about the integrity of recent jackpot wins and the state’s oversight of courier companies that facilitate online lottery purchases. The lottery has found itself at the center of two investigations—one by the Texas Rangers, initiated by Governor Greg Abbott, and another by the office of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
At the heart of the controversy are two high-profile jackpots. The first, a $95 million prize in 2023, was won by a group that reportedly bought nearly every possible combination—more than 25 million tickets. The second, an $83 million win in February 2025, involved a ticket purchased through a courier-operated store, prompting further questions about the legality and fairness of such services.
Though neither lottery officials nor courier companies have admitted any wrongdoing, critics argue the system has allowed legal loopholes that undermine public trust. Lawmakers have since debated measures ranging from banning ticket sales through courier platforms to completely defunding the agency.
Governor Abbott’s office emphasized the importance of upholding public trust, regardless of who leads the lottery moving forward.
“The governor expects the Texas Lottery Commission to work within the bounds of the law and to ensure the trust and integrity of the lottery,” said spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris.
The Texas Lottery, established in 1991, plays a significant financial role in the state by funneling a portion of its revenue—$2 billion in 2024—toward public education. Nonetheless, recent controversies have brought rare and intense political scrutiny to the agency.
In February, Mindell acknowledged to lawmakers that the agency lacked authority to regulate courier companies but indicated plans to prohibit them going forward. His remarks came amid rising legislative frustration. The state Senate has since passed a bill banning courier sales, while the House version of the budget excludes funding for the lottery commission altogether—a symbolic move indicating the seriousness of reform discussions.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers has pushed back, accusing the commission of using couriers as scapegoats for internal missteps. In a statement responding to Mindell’s resignation, the coalition said his exit creates a chance to “restart good faith collaboration” with the commission.
The February jackpot remains unclaimed as the state continues its probe. An attorney for a woman who says she won the prize through a courier service maintains the ticket was legally purchased as part of a group buy.
Texas law permits lottery winners to remain anonymous, and the April 2023 jackpot was quietly claimed under a company name two months after the draw.
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