If you’ve been using an app or third-party service to buy your Texas Lottery tickets, you’re out of luck. The Texas Lottery Commission just announced that courier services are no longer allowed to sell lottery tickets on behalf of customers.
Following a few large jackpot wins that sparked concerns about the fairness of these services, this decision was made. According to officials, the goal of this action is to ensure that everyone has an equal chance of winning and to preserve the lottery’s credibility.
Why Is Texas Banning Lottery Couriers?
Over the past few years, more people have turned to lottery courier services—apps and websites that let customers buy tickets without going to a store. But some recent lottery wins sparked controversy:
April 2023: A group won a $95 million Lotto Texas jackpot by purchasing almost every possible number combination. They made it happen by using a courier service.
In February 2025, an Austin lottery courier sold a ticket that won $83.5 million, raising questions about the legitimacy and fairness of these third-party purchases.
The Texas Lottery Commission has now declared that enough is enough.
They reviewed state laws and determined that courier services violate lottery regulations. Any retailer caught working with these services could lose their lottery sales license.
What Happens Next?
Texas officials aren’t just stopping at a ban—they’re cracking down on anyone trying to bend the rules:
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate the recent jackpot wins to make sure there wasn’t any wrongdoing.
State lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal for third-party companies to sell Texas Lottery tickets.
Meanwhile, courier services are pushing back, arguing they’ve been operating legally since 2019 and contribute millions to the state’s public education fund.
What This Means for You
Tickets that you previously bought through a lottery app must now be purchased in person from an authorized Texas Lottery shop. Instead of using other firms, the state wants to ensure that tickets are sold directly to athletes.
This ruling emphasizes the continuous discussion about whether technology should be used more in state-run lotteries or if it leads to greater unfair advantages.