In a rare procedural move, the Texas Senate voted to suspend its regular order of business and constitutional rules to fast-track a bill prohibiting online and mobile lottery sales. This decision highlights the urgency lawmakers feel about alleged fraud and misconduct within the Texas Lottery Commission.
The bill in question, Senate Bill (SB) 28, was authored by Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) and prohibits Texans from purchasing lottery tickets through the internet or mobile applications. This move follows growing concerns that third-party courier services are operating in a legal gray area, potentially enabling fraudulent activity.
Unusual Legislative Action
Typically, Texas lawmakers can only address emergency items designated by the governor in the first 60 days of the legislative session. Suspending these constitutional rules to take up a non-emergency matter is highly unusual, signaling the seriousness of the issue in the Senate.
During the debate, Sen. Hall delivered a fiery speech, alleging that the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) has repeatedly failed to comply with state law.
"I took about 20 minutes in the Senate State Affairs [Committee] laying out the history of the failure of the Texas lottery to adhere to state law," Hall stated on the Senate floor.
He went even further, accusing the commission of fostering what he described as a “criminal conspiracy to defraud Texas.”
Recent Lottery Winner Raises Red Flags
The debate intensified after a February 17 lottery winner purchased a ticket at a Texas retailer through a third-party application. Lawmakers cited this case as a prime example of the legal loopholes that exist within the system.
The Texas Lottery Commission itself acknowledged concerns about courier services operating under a “sometimes vague statute” in a recent report. In response, the TLC moved earlier this week to prohibit lottery courier services altogether.
Calls for More Drastic Action
While SB 28 seeks to eliminate online lottery sales, Sen. Hall argued that an even stronger measure is needed—abolishing the Texas Lottery Commission entirely.
"I strongly believe that the only legislative change that would have a meaningful impact on the organized crime syndicate embedded in the Texas government is legislation that completely and permanently abolishes the lottery commission," Hall declared.
He did not mince words when describing his perception of the agency’s operations:
"If the lottery commission were to adopt an official motto today, it would have to include the words lie, cheat, steal, mislead, mislead, mislead — and cover up."
Unanimous Senate Support
Despite the charged rhetoric, SB 28 received unanimous approval from the Texas Senate. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praised Hall’s work, thanking him for his “very thorough research” and “dedication to cleaning up fraud in the lottery.”
The bill now moves to the Texas House of Representatives, where it is expected to face further debate. If passed and signed into law, Texans will no longer have the option to purchase lottery tickets online or through third-party apps.
Looking Ahead
The broader debate over the Texas Lottery Commission's future continues, especially as it undergoes a sunset review—a process that determines whether a state agency should be reauthorized or abolished. With concerns about fraud, oversight, and private-public partnerships, further legislative action may be on the horizon.
