AUSTIN, Texas — The winner of an $83 million Texas Lottery jackpot is now fighting to secure her prize amid an investigation by the Texas Rangers.
The Texas woman’s winnings have been placed on hold, and she worries about when, or if, she will see the life-changing money.
Randy Howry, the attorney representing the anonymous winner, said her client purchased her $20 ticket through the Jackpocket app on Feb. 17 and won.
“It’s the person you want to win the Texas Lottery,” Howry said. “It’s that person who takes a risk, likes to gamble and wins the lottery. And instead of being rewarded for that, she’s being punished.”
Jackpocket, and other lottery courier services, have been under intense scrutiny following a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott. Howry said his client has been playing the lottery through those services for the last six years but has never won big. Until now.
“This was going to change her life. No doubt it was going to change the life of her kids,” Howry said. “But she planned to do good things with the money.”
The winning ticket was sold through a courier at the Winners Corner in North Austin. Both the store and Jackpocket, are owned by sports betting company DraftKings. Days after the win, lawmakers started raising questions.
The State Lottery Commission eventually moved toward banning couriers, with the Texas Senate approving a bill on Feb. 27 to do the same.
Along with this drawing, the Texas Rangers are also investigating a win from 2023. The other drawing involved a group of people who bought $26 million worth of tickets in every combination and won a $95 million jackpot.
Howry said his client’s case is very different by comparison.
“A night and day difference,” Howry said. “My client is a regular person who plays the lottery, occasionally, and spent $20 on the night of this particular lottery and got lucky and got the winning ticket.”
Howry added that they intend to give the lottery commission time to resolve the situation, but are ready to take legal action if necessary. Meanwhile, the Texas Lottery Commission released the following statement:
“The holder of the Feb. 17 Lotto Texas jackpot-winning ticket has come forward. The claim is being reviewed under the Commission’s claim validation requirements and is the subject of external investigation.”