Texas Lotterys top executive Ryan Mindell resigns as scrutiny over big jackpot winners intensifies
AUSTIN, Texas — The executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission has resigned, the latest shake-up at the state’s retail gambling enterprise amid multiple investigations into jackpots in 2023 and earlier this year totaling nearly $200 million, and calls from some lawmakers to shut it down.The lottery announced Ryan Mindell’s resignation on Monday without comment.A former deputy director and operations director at the lottery, Mindell had held the top job for only about a year following the abrupt resignation of his predecessor.He leaves as the agency faces at least two investigations ordered by Gov.
Greg Abbott and state Attorney General Ken Paxton into the integrity of the lottery prizes, and how the state handled the introduction of courier companies that buy and send tickets on behalf of customers online.The companies and lottery officials have denied wrongdoing.But Texas state lawmakers are considering forcing several changes, ranging from a legal ban on sales through courier companies to shutting down the agency by taking away all of its funding.The Texas lottery was established in 1991 and sends a portion of its annual revenue to public education.
In 2024, that meant about $2 billion sent to the state’s public school fund.But two of the biggest jackpots in agency history prompted flares of scrutiny and criticism from media, lawmakers and state officials who question whether they were fairly won and if courier companies should be allowed.First, a $95 million jackpot in 2023 was awarded when the winners bought nearly every possible number combination — more than 25 million of them.In February, an $83 million ticket was won with a ticket purchased at a courier store.
The chain that operates the store has locations in six states.A Houston Chronicle investigation initially detailed the buying efforts behind the 2023 jackpot, but it was the second one that finally grabbed the attention of prominent state lawmakers, as well as the governor and th...