The Texas Lottery Commission announced Monday that its Executive Director, RYAN MINDELL, has resigned. This development comes as the agency faces multiple investigations ordered by Texas Governor GREG ABBOTT and State Attorney General KEN PAXTON into the integrity of lottery prizes and the handling of courier companies that facilitate online ticket purchases.
Lottery couriers, which are currently unregulated, allow customers to order tickets online via websites or mobile apps. These companies then purchase tickets in person from licensed retailers and manage the tickets on behalf of customers, charging a fee for their services. The Texas Lottery Commission has emphasized that couriers operate under private business arrangements with retailers.
Governor ABBOTT has directed the Texas Rangers to investigate two high-profile lottery wins: an $83 million ticket sold in Austin in February and a $95 million ticket sold in Colleyville in April 2023. While lottery officials and courier companies have denied any wrongdoing, state lawmakers are considering significant changes, including a potential ban on courier services or defunding the agency entirely.
ANDREW MAHALERIS, a spokesman for Governor ABBOTT, stated that the governor expects the Texas Lottery Commission to uphold the law and maintain public trust, regardless of leadership changes. Meanwhile, the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers has accused MINDELL of unfairly targeting courier companies to deflect from the agency’s own issues. The coalition views his resignation as an opportunity to reset relations and foster collaboration with the Commission.
In the interim, SERGIO REY, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Texas Lottery Commission, has been appointed Acting Deputy Executive Director. The Commission’s board will discuss the process for selecting a new executive director at its next meeting on April 29.
This report includes contributions from The Associated Press.
[Source: Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com) | [Source: FOX 7 Austin](https://www.fox7austin.com) | [Source: The Associated Press](https://www.apnews.com)