Major changes are underway at the Texas Lottery Commission after multiple investigations into suspicious jackpot wins totaling $200 million. The agency is facing mounting legal pressure and public scrutiny over allegations that it helped foreign bettors manipulate lottery results.
Ryan Mindell, who served as deputy director and operations director, resigned from his post on April 21 after just one year in the role. The Commission announced that Sergio Rey, the agency’s Chief Financial Officer, will serve as acting deputy executive director. A permanent replacement will be discussed during the next public meeting on April 29.
Mindell’s resignation follows a growing scandal centered around accusations that European gamblers rigged a $95 million Texas lottery jackpot in 2023. According to The New York Times, the scheme involved purchasing nearly every possible lottery number combination—totaling 26 million tickets—at $1 each.
The plan was allegedly carried out by British bookmaker Colossal Bets in partnership with Lottery.com and two other companies. For the strategy to succeed, investigators believe Texas lottery officials would have had to overlook clear violations of existing rules.
While the approach dramatically increased ticket sales—which fund Texas public schools—it raised red flags after a second suspicious win. That $83 million jackpot was won through a courier service that operates across six states. The funds from the 2023 jackpot are now being withheld during the investigation.
Lottery.com, one of the key players in the controversy, allows users to purchase tickets remotely—skirting the state law that requires in-person purchases. Critics say this loophole may have enabled large-scale exploitation of the lottery system.
Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate. Abbott’s office emphasized that the governor expects the agency to uphold the law and maintain public trust, regardless of leadership changes.
The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers welcomed Mindell’s resignation, accusing him of using the agency to deflect blame. “His departure provides an opportunity to reset relations and work in good faith,” the coalition said.
Mindell’s exit follows the February resignation of Clark Smith, another Texas Lottery commissioner. The agency has not issued further comment on the matter.
