by Texas lottery players will soon face significant changes after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 3070 into law, banning online ticket sales and dissolving the agency that has overseen the lottery for decades.
Key Provisions of Senate Bill 3070
- Online and third-party courier app sales of lottery tickets are now banned.
- In-person purchases at licensed retailers are now required.
- Oversight of the lottery will shift from the Texas Lottery Commission to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation starting Sept. 1.
- The law extends the state lottery’s authorization through 2029.
Impact on Retailers
- Businesses like Mr. T’s Market in Midland are seeing a boost in in-store lottery sales.
- “We have been up by 20 percent,” said manager Terry Taing, noting that convenience had shifted buyers online, hurting physical retailers.
- Taing also highlighted that retailers earn commissions and bonuses for jackpot ticket sales, and the return to in-store buying is financially beneficial.
Why the Change?
- The move follows concerns over “questionable payouts” and allegations of misconduct within the Texas Lottery Commission.
- Ongoing investigations into alleged unlawful activity prompted lawmakers to dissolve the commission.
- “There was a lot of shady stuff going on,” Taing added. “Hopefully, those involved are being brought to justice.”
What’s Next
- The Texas Lottery will continue operations under new oversight.
- All purchases must now be made in person starting Sept. 1.
- Officials say the changes aim to ensure fairness, transparency, and proper regulation going forward.
Texas residents can still test their luck—but now, it’ll need to be at a licensed store.
