In a move reshaping Texas' approach to its state games, the Texas House has decided to dismantle the Texas Lottery Commission and transfer the responsibilities of running the Texas Lottery and Charitable Bingo to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, as outlined in Senate Bill 3070. The decision, reported by the Texas Tribune, comes after the Texas Lottery Commission faced severe scrutiny and criticism over alleged mismanagement and pending investigations into concerning jackpot wins.
The amendments to SB 3070, introduced by House sponsor Charlie Geren, include prohibiting online lottery ticket sales, a measure that corresponds closely with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's legislative interests, per the CW39 report; the transfer of game operations to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is slated for September 1, marking the end of the Texas Lottery Commission amid the significant process of the state's sunset review which could have rendered the department defunct regardless.
Key point of contention framed the debate, including previous incidents such as a group's "bulk purchase" of 99% of possible ticket combinations in a jackpot win and another win facilitated by a lottery courier, an online app, with both cases provoking investigation by Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Texas Rangers—a division of the state's Department of Public Safety, "The problem is, as a legislature, if we know an agency is corrupt, shouldn't we just abolish it?" Rep. Nate Schatzline remarked during House discussion, as noted by the Texas Tribune.
As the legislative hammer falls, the amended version eschews not only the Senate's push for early review of the Texas Lottery Commission's management of the lottery, proposing instead a 2029 sunset review, but also removes a requirement for minutes and guest lists to be publicly documented for meetings related to lottery contracting and policy-making, suggesting less transparency over this transitional period which, as the CW39 explained, follows after a lawsuit accused former Texas Lottery Commission officials of collaborating to implement lottery mobile applications with courier services.
The Senate and the Governor now have the task of reviewing and finalizing the legislation; Governor Greg Abbott's signature here is critical, as it is this legally binding stroke that will determine whether the Texas Lottery Commission's responsibilities tangibly pass on to Texas Lottery Commission. "Ensuring the integrity, security, honesty and fairness of the agency and its games is the top priority for the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC). The TLC respects the legislative process, serves as a resource to the Legislature, and will follow the direction of the Legislature," a Texas Lottery Commission representative stated, affirming their commitment to a smooth transition, as reported by CW39.
