Latest news with #RyanMindell
CNN
25-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Texas woman sues state lottery after not receiving $83.5M jackpot
Source: CNN A woman in Texas is suing the state's Lottery Commission for not paying out an $83.5 million award, more than three months after the numbers on her ticket matched the winning numbers in a drawing, according to court documents obtained by CNN. 'Every Texan knows what that should mean when it comes to the lottery – if you win, you should get paid,' the suit says. 'It shouldn't take a lawsuit to get paid when you win the lottery. But that's exactly what has happened here.' The woman bought her ticket through a lottery courier service, firms which allow customers to purchase tickets virtually, using a mobile app or other online interface. The woman, identified only as Jane Doe in the suit, purchased a ticket for the 'Lotto Texas' lottery game through an app called Jackpocket on February 17, and her numbers matched those of the numbers pulled at 10:12 p.m. CT the same day, according to the lawsuit. A week after Doe won her ticket, then-Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced a move to ban courier services like the one Doe used, under Texas law. The ban became effective on May 19, according to a lottery commission spokesperson. Mindell resigned in April. 'We all know the Commission is not allowed to change the rules after the drawing. But the Commission has apparently tried to do so and relied—at least in part—on this ex post facto announcement to continue to refuse to pay Plaintiff her lottery winnings simply because she utilized a lottery ticket courier service to buy the winning ticket,' the lawsuit says. A spokesperson told CNN in an email Saturday the commission 'does not comment on pending litigation.' The lawsuit also alleges Doe's unpaid winnings could be used to pay other Texas Lottery winners, or may be reallocated and redirected to 'other Commission liabilities or purposes,' potentially reducing the amount owed to her. Attorneys for the woman have also filed for a temporary restraining order and requested for a temporary injunction to stop Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission Sergio Rey from doling out funds, which the lawsuit alleges Doe still has not received. 'If Mr. Rey is not restrained and enjoined from disbursing or diminishing the Plaintiff's jackpot prize winnings, Plaintiff will suffer damages that will be incapable of being measured by any certain pecuniary standard before notice is given and a hearing is held on Plaintiff's Application for Temporary Injunction,' a court document said. CNN has reached out to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office, Jackpocket, and Rey for comment. A lottery courier service acts as a third-party vendor that buys lottery tickets on behalf of customers, coordinates the purchase of physical tickets through brick and mortar stores the services often own, and notifies buyers if they win. Courier services are typically operated online or through an app, offering a convenient way to play games. Some couriers even offer national lottery games like Mega Millions and Powerball. Lottery couriers, which had been operating in Texas since 2019, became a focus in April 2023 after a single entity bought 25 million lottery tickets in less than 72 hours using a courier service, CNN affiliate WFAA reported. The entity purchased 'nearly every possible number combination,' the release from the governor's office said at the time. The investor doubled its money because the jackpot was so high, and the winner took home $57.8 million before taxes, WFAA said. Courier services are operating in 19 states, according to a report published in 2024 by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. Only three states – New York, New Jersey and Arkansas – regulate the courier service industry, according to a 2024 Texas House report. Without such regulations in Texas, couriers are not required to obtain a license or permission from the Texas Lottery to operate, the report found. Purchasing via a lottery courier has two advantages for the customer, said Victor Matheson, professor of economics at College of the Holy Cross. 'It allows the buyer to conveniently buy tickets without having to go to a regular lottery retailer and it also potentially allows out-of-state buyers to purchase tickets in any lottery across the country,' Matheson said in February. The service can have drawbacks like a fee, legality issues and lack of a limit to how many tickets are purchased, Matheson added. Other legal concerns include the regulation of sales across state lines when each state controls its own lottery games, sales to underage players, ticket buying syndicates and other issues. See Full Web Article
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas woman sues state lottery after not receiving controversial $83.5M jackpot
A woman in Texas is suing the state's Lottery Commission for not paying out an $83.5 million award, more than three months after the numbers on her ticket matched the winning numbers in a drawing, according to court documents obtained by CNN. 'Every Texan knows what that should mean when it comes to the lottery – if you win, you should get paid,' the suit says. 'It shouldn't take a lawsuit to get paid when you win the lottery. But that's exactly what has happened here.' The woman bought her ticket through a lottery courier service, firms which allow customers to purchase tickets virtually, using a mobile app or other online interface. The woman, identified only as Jane Doe in the suit, purchased a ticket for the 'Lotto Texas' lottery game through an app called Jackpocket on February 17, and her numbers matched those of the numbers pulled at 10:12 p.m. CT the same day, according to the lawsuit. A week after Doe won her ticket, then-Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced a move to ban courier services like the one Doe used, under Texas law. The ban became effective on May 19, according to a lottery commission spokesperson. Mindell resigned in April. 'We all know the Commission is not allowed to change the rules after the drawing. But the Commission has apparently tried to do so and relied—at least in part—on this ex post facto announcement to continue to refuse to pay Plaintiff her lottery winnings simply because she utilized a lottery ticket courier service to buy the winning ticket,' the lawsuit says. A spokesperson told CNN in an email Saturday the commission 'does not comment on pending litigation.' The lawsuit also alleges Doe's unpaid winnings could be used to pay other Texas Lottery winners, or may be reallocated and redirected to 'other Commission liabilities or purposes,' potentially reducing the amount owed to her. Attorneys for the woman have also filed for a temporary restraining order and requested for a temporary injunction to stop Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission Sergio Rey from doling out funds, which the lawsuit alleges Doe still has not received. 'If Mr. Rey is not restrained and enjoined from disbursing or diminishing the Plaintiff's jackpot prize winnings, Plaintiff will suffer damages that will be incapable of being measured by any certain pecuniary standard before notice is given and a hearing is held on Plaintiff's Application for Temporary Injunction,' a court document said. CNN has reached out to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office, Jackpocket, and Rey for comment. A lottery courier service acts as a third-party vendor that buys lottery tickets on behalf of customers, coordinates the purchase of physical tickets through brick and mortar stores the services often own, and notifies buyers if they win. Courier services are typically operated online or through an app, offering a convenient way to play games. Some couriers even offer national lottery games like Mega Millions and Powerball. Lottery couriers, which had been operating in Texas since 2019, became a focus in April 2023 after a single entity bought 25 million lottery tickets in less than 72 hours using a courier service, CNN affiliate WFAA reported. The entity purchased 'nearly every possible number combination,' the release from the governor's office said at the time. The investor doubled its money because the jackpot was so high, and the winner took home $57.8 million before taxes, WFAA said. Courier services are operating in 19 states, according to a report published in 2024 by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. Only three states – New York, New Jersey and Arkansas – regulate the courier service industry, according to a 2024 Texas House report. Without such regulations in Texas, couriers are not required to obtain a license or permission from the Texas Lottery to operate, the report found. Purchasing via a lottery courier has two advantages for the customer, said Victor Matheson, professor of economics at College of the Holy Cross. 'It allows the buyer to conveniently buy tickets without having to go to a regular lottery retailer and it also potentially allows out-of-state buyers to purchase tickets in any lottery across the country,' Matheson said in February. The service can have drawbacks like a fee, legality issues and lack of a limit to how many tickets are purchased, Matheson added. Other legal concerns include the regulation of sales across state lines when each state controls its own lottery games, sales to underage players, ticket buying syndicates and other issues.
CNN
24-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Texas woman sues state lottery after not receiving controversial $83.5M jackpot
FacebookTweetLink Follow A woman in Texas is suing the state's Lottery Commission for not paying out an $83.5 million award, more than three months after the numbers on her ticket matched the winning numbers in a drawing, according to court documents obtained by CNN. 'Every Texan knows what that should mean when it comes to the lottery – if you win, you should get paid,' the suit says. 'It shouldn't take a lawsuit to get paid when you win the lottery. But that's exactly what has happened here.' The woman bought her ticket through a lottery courier service, firms which allow customers to purchase tickets virtually, using a mobile app or other online interface. The woman, identified only as Jane Doe in the suit, purchased a ticket for the 'Lotto Texas' lottery game through an app called Jackpocket on February 17, and her numbers matched those of the numbers pulled at 10:12 p.m. CT the same day, according to the lawsuit. A week after Doe won her ticket, then-Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced a move to ban courier services like the one Doe used, under Texas law. The ban became effective on May 19, according to a lottery commission spokesperson. Mindell resigned in April. 'We all know the Commission is not allowed to change the rules after the drawing. But the Commission has apparently tried to do so and relied—at least in part—on this ex post facto announcement to continue to refuse to pay Plaintiff her lottery winnings simply because she utilized a lottery ticket courier service to buy the winning ticket,' the lawsuit says. A spokesperson told CNN in an email Saturday the commission 'does not comment on pending litigation.' The lawsuit also alleges Doe's unpaid winnings could be used to pay other Texas Lottery winners, or may be reallocated and redirected to 'other Commission liabilities or purposes,' potentially reducing the amount owed to her. Attorneys for the woman have also filed for a temporary restraining order and requested for a temporary injunction to stop Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission Sergio Rey from doling out funds, which the lawsuit alleges Doe still has not received. 'If Mr. Rey is not restrained and enjoined from disbursing or diminishing the Plaintiff's jackpot prize winnings, Plaintiff will suffer damages that will be incapable of being measured by any certain pecuniary standard before notice is given and a hearing is held on Plaintiff's Application for Temporary Injunction,' a court document said. CNN has reached out to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office, Jackpocket, and Rey for comment. A lottery courier service acts as a third-party vendor that buys lottery tickets on behalf of customers, coordinates the purchase of physical tickets through brick and mortar stores the services often own, and notifies buyers if they win. Courier services are typically operated online or through an app, offering a convenient way to play games. Some couriers even offer national lottery games like Mega Millions and Powerball. Lottery couriers, which had been operating in Texas since 2019, became a focus in April 2023 after a single entity bought 25 million lottery tickets in less than 72 hours using a courier service, CNN affiliate WFAA reported. The entity purchased 'nearly every possible number combination,' the release from the governor's office said at the time. The investor doubled its money because the jackpot was so high, and the winner took home $57.8 million before taxes, WFAA said. Courier services are operating in 19 states, according to a report published in 2024 by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. Only three states – New York, New Jersey and Arkansas – regulate the courier service industry, according to a 2024 Texas House report. Without such regulations in Texas, couriers are not required to obtain a license or permission from the Texas Lottery to operate, the report found. Purchasing via a lottery courier has two advantages for the customer, said Victor Matheson, professor of economics at College of the Holy Cross. 'It allows the buyer to conveniently buy tickets without having to go to a regular lottery retailer and it also potentially allows out-of-state buyers to purchase tickets in any lottery across the country,' Matheson said in February. The service can have drawbacks like a fee, legality issues and lack of a limit to how many tickets are purchased, Matheson added. Other legal concerns include the regulation of sales across state lines when each state controls its own lottery games, sales to underage players, ticket buying syndicates and other issues.
CNN
24-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Texas woman sues state lottery after not receiving controversial $83.5M jackpot
A woman in Texas is suing the state's Lottery Commission for not paying out an $83.5 million award, more than three months after the numbers on her ticket matched the winning numbers in a drawing, according to court documents obtained by CNN. 'Every Texan knows what that should mean when it comes to the lottery – if you win, you should get paid,' the suit says. 'It shouldn't take a lawsuit to get paid when you win the lottery. But that's exactly what has happened here.' The woman bought her ticket through a lottery courier service, firms which allow customers to purchase tickets virtually, using a mobile app or other online interface. The woman, identified only as Jane Doe in the suit, purchased a ticket for the 'Lotto Texas' lottery game through an app called Jackpocket on February 17, and her numbers matched those of the numbers pulled at 10:12 p.m. CT the same day, according to the lawsuit. A week after Doe won her ticket, then-Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced a move to ban courier services like the one Doe used, under Texas law. The ban became effective on May 19, according to a lottery commission spokesperson. Mindell resigned in April. 'We all know the Commission is not allowed to change the rules after the drawing. But the Commission has apparently tried to do so and relied—at least in part—on this ex post facto announcement to continue to refuse to pay Plaintiff her lottery winnings simply because she utilized a lottery ticket courier service to buy the winning ticket,' the lawsuit says. A spokesperson told CNN in an email Saturday the commission 'does not comment on pending litigation.' The lawsuit also alleges Doe's unpaid winnings could be used to pay other Texas Lottery winners, or may be reallocated and redirected to 'other Commission liabilities or purposes,' potentially reducing the amount owed to her. Attorneys for the woman have also filed for a temporary restraining order and requested for a temporary injunction to stop Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission Sergio Rey from doling out funds, which the lawsuit alleges Doe still has not received. 'If Mr. Rey is not restrained and enjoined from disbursing or diminishing the Plaintiff's jackpot prize winnings, Plaintiff will suffer damages that will be incapable of being measured by any certain pecuniary standard before notice is given and a hearing is held on Plaintiff's Application for Temporary Injunction,' a court document said. CNN has reached out to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office, Jackpocket, and Rey for comment. A lottery courier service acts as a third-party vendor that buys lottery tickets on behalf of customers, coordinates the purchase of physical tickets through brick and mortar stores the services often own, and notifies buyers if they win. Courier services are typically operated online or through an app, offering a convenient way to play games. Some couriers even offer national lottery games like Mega Millions and Powerball. Lottery couriers, which had been operating in Texas since 2019, became a focus in April 2023 after a single entity bought 25 million lottery tickets in less than 72 hours using a courier service, CNN affiliate WFAA reported. The entity purchased 'nearly every possible number combination,' the release from the governor's office said at the time. The investor doubled its money because the jackpot was so high, and the winner took home $57.8 million before taxes, WFAA said. Courier services are operating in 19 states, according to a report published in 2024 by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. Only three states – New York, New Jersey and Arkansas – regulate the courier service industry, according to a 2024 Texas House report. Without such regulations in Texas, couriers are not required to obtain a license or permission from the Texas Lottery to operate, the report found. Purchasing via a lottery courier has two advantages for the customer, said Victor Matheson, professor of economics at College of the Holy Cross. 'It allows the buyer to conveniently buy tickets without having to go to a regular lottery retailer and it also potentially allows out-of-state buyers to purchase tickets in any lottery across the country,' Matheson said in February. The service can have drawbacks like a fee, legality issues and lack of a limit to how many tickets are purchased, Matheson added. Other legal concerns include the regulation of sales across state lines when each state controls its own lottery games, sales to underage players, ticket buying syndicates and other issues.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- USA Today
Woman sues Texas Lottery for not receiving massive prize months after win
Woman sues Texas Lottery for not receiving massive prize months after win 'In Texas, a deal is a deal, unless you are the Texas Lottery," the lawsuit states. Show Caption Hide Caption Texas Lottery executive director resigns Texas Lottery Executive Director Ryan Mindell's resignation comes after questions about the legitimacy of the Texas Lottery earlier this year. Fox - 7 Austin A Texas lottery player is pursuing legal action against state officials, alleging she hasn't received her multi-million-dollar prize months after winning. The unnamed woman is suing Sergio Rey, the acting deputy executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission. In the lawsuit filed on May 21 and obtained by USA TODAY, she claims she was not paid "as the rightful and undisputed winner" of a $83.5 million prize. The woman initially purchased a ticket in the 'Lotto Texas' lottery game on Feb. 17 through the mobile app which secured her ticket from a licensed retailer in Austin. According to the filing, the courier service has been used for years "to lawfully purchase Texas lottery tickets." After finding out she had the winning numbers, the woman went to the Texas Lottery Commission on March 18 to claim her prize. The win was also highlighted on the Texas Lottery official website. "The Commission conducted its ticket validation procedures and determined that Plaintiff was the lawful bearer of the winning ticket," the document states. "At no time has Sergio Rey or the Commission or anyone purporting to act on the Commission's behalf advised (the woman) that the winning ticket is invalid, inauthentic, obtained by fraud, has an illicit chain of custody, or that any other unlawful conduct was involved in (the woman's) procurement of the winning ticket." In a statement to USA TODAY, the Texas Lottery said it "does not comment on pending litigation." Lottery winners: Woman stops for gas, leaves with 6-figure lottery prize: 'It felt so unreal' Woman's lawsuit calls Texas Lottery's failure to pay 'illegal' According to the lawsuit and local news station KVUE, days after the woman bought her winning ticket, Ryan Mindell, the now-resigned executive director of the Texas Lottery, ruled that lottery ticket courier services are prohibited. The rule change prompted the commission to "refuse to pay (the woman) her lottery winnings" due to how she purchased the ticket, the lawsuit says, alleging that the lack of action is "illegal." "They are simply stonewalling the winner, stalling and not being responsible or acting with any integrity," the filing continued. The woman is requesting the full prize amount, coverage of attorney costs and permanent injunctive relief. "In Texas, a deal is a deal, unless you are the Texas Lottery," the lawsuit states. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
