Unveiling the Texas Lottery Jackpot Scandal: A European Syndicate Strikes Gold
Lottery Administrator Resigns under Pressure due to Controversy Surrounding Jackpot Mismanagement
Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 01:44h.
Authored by Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc
Today's headline: Texas Lottery Director Steps Down Amid $95M Jackpot Controversy
The Texas Lottery Commission's chief, Ryan Mindell, tendered his resignation on Monday, amid swirling allegations of a $95 million jackpot scam and scrutiny from lawmakers, including the Texas Rangers.
Mindell's departure comes hot on the heels of significant funding cuts to the Lottery Commission and proposed bills in both legislative chambers, which could strip the agency of its power or eliminate it entirely. Critics point the finger at the commission for fostering third-party lottery couriers that contributed to the ongoing controversy.
The Syndicate's Stunning Victory: Math and Money at Play
The April 22, 2023, Texas Lottery was no ordinary draw. With 93 consecutive rollovers, the odds had grown increasingly against every Texas player. The catch? A shrewd European syndicate had bought an astounding 25.8 million tickets, each at a dollar, covering almost every possible winning combination. This strategy guaranteed them a share of the jackpot, pocketing millions in secondary prizes as well.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick denounced it as "the greatest swindle of the people of Texas in the annals of Texas' history."
The syndicate's audacious victory was aided by courier companies, which made it possible for players to circumvent in-person ticket purchases, a legal requirement for Texas lottery players. Around the clock, these courier services swiftly processed the 25.8 million tickets required for the syndicate's scheme. A typical weekly Texas Lottery draw sees around 1 to 2 million tickets sold.
The Fall of the Texas Lottery King: Ryan Mindell's Reign and Resignation
Ryan Mindell helmed the lottery for a brief, tumultuous year. He succeeded his tenured predecessor, Gary Grief, who, it should be noted, has been embroiled in accusations of courting lottery couriers unauthorized by the legislature.
A July 2024 report from the Sunset Advisory Committee (SAC)—a Texas legislative commission tasked with assessing state agencies' performance—azzed the Lottery Commission, citing concerns previous director Mindell raised regarding some of Grief's policies. Mindell himself took steps to implement limitations on bulk ticket purchases following the syndicate's windfall.
When quizzed on criticism, Mindell admitted in February that the commission intended to outlaw lottery courier services and revoke the licenses of any outlets selling tickets to these businesses. Prior to this stance, the commission maintained it lacked the authority to regulate or disallow courier firms. A Lottery Commission representative confirmed that the selection process for a new director would commence at the agency's next open meeting, scheduled for April 29.
References:
- Exclusive: Inside the Texas Lottery Jackpot Heist
- European Syndicate Exploits Texas Lottery Jackpot
- Ryan Mindell, the former director of the Texas Lottery Commission, announced his resignation in the midst of a controversy surrounding a $95 million jackpot.
- Concurrently, the Texas Lottery Commission was under investigation by the Texas Rangers for alleged involvement in a lottery syndicate scam.
- The European syndicate, responsible for the controversy, purchased an unprecedented 25.8 million tickets for the April 2023 Texas Lottery, nearly covering every possible winning combination.
- The syndicate's stratagem secured them a share of the jackpot and resulted in big-wins during the secondary prize draw as well.
- The syndicate's success was facilitated by casino-and-gambling courier services, which allowed them to circumvent the in-person ticket purchase legal requirement for Texas lottery players.
- Public outrage escalated when Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick labeled the syndicate's victory as "the greatest swindle of the people of Texas in the annals of Texas' history."
- The Casino-games scandal and Mindell's resignation culminated in proposed bills in both legislative chambers, threatening to either strip the agency of its power or eliminate it entirely.