Texas Lottery executive director resigns following investigation of recent winning tickets
The Brief
The Texas Lottery executive director announced his resignation
There have been several investigations into the Texas Lottery following recent winning tickets - one of which was sold in North Austin
Since the investigations, state lawmakers have been debating ways to better regulate the sale of tickets to prevent rigging the lottery
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Lottery executive director announced his resignation on Monday, April 21, amid scrutiny from state officials.
Executive director Ryan Mindell's resignation comes after questions about the legitimacy of the Texas Lottery earlier this year.
The resignation comes almost exactly one year after Mindell was promoted to the position.
RELATED COVERAGE:
Texas Lottery concerns: Commission holds meeting amid investigations into courier services
Bill to ban online, app purchase of Texas Lottery tickets passes Senate
Texas Lottery: Ken Paxton announces investigation into alleged rigging of lottery
Texas Lottery wins under investigation by Texas Rangers
What they're saying
The Texas Lottery released this statement:
"Ryan Mindell notified the Texas Lottery Commission board of his resignation, effective today, April 21. Sergio Rey, the agency's Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Lottery. The Commission board will consider its selection process for a new executive director at its next open meeting, scheduled for April 29."
The backstory
In February, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick conducted his own investigation into the Texas Lottery. This came after a winning $83.5 million lottery ticket was bought at a retail store in North Austin.
It was not the first time someone walked away a winner after buying a ticket at the Winners Corner TX LLC store on Rockwood Lane.
The store has been on top for the number of winning tickets sold, including in December 2024 when someone bought a winning lottery ticket of $2 million.
RELATED: Austin store that sold $83.5M winning lottery ticket under investigation by Dan Patrick
The business is considered a lottery courier, which allows Texans to buy tickets online, then a courier will send a representative to physically purchase the ticket in person at one of the lottery retailers.
Although many question the ethics and legality of how these lotto companies work, the most recent win was concerning to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
On Tuesday, Patrick went to investigate Winner's Corner in person.
"Do you not see an issue where the public might lose confidence if the courier service somehow happened at this one location in the entire state of Texas sold an $83 million winning ticket, and they also own the location that printed the ticket?" Patrick asked the store employee.
Dig deeper
Gov. Abbott also directed the Texas Rangers to investigate two winning lottery tickets:
An $83 million winning lottery ticket sold in North Austin in February 2025
A $95 million winning lottery ticket sold in Colleyville in April 2023
Since the investigations, state lawmakers have been debating ways to better regulate the sale of tickets to prevent rigging the lottery.
What's next
Senate Bill 28, which would block Texas Lottery tickets from being sold online or by an app, passed the Texas Senate in February.
If it passes the House, the bill would end courier services that have come under scrutiny after recent wins.
The Source
Information from the Texas Lottery and previous FOX 7 Austin coverage
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