Texas is anchoring down its opposition to legal sports betting.  Legal Sports Report outlined the Texas gaming regulator’s Monday, March 3,  announcement it was outlawing lottery courier service, indirectly banning a key provider for sportsbook companies. That decision was made after a “suspicious” $83.5 million jackpot win on DraftKings-owned Jackpocket. State officials believe that courier services tilt the balance so that games are not played evenly among all participants as intended. Taking immediate action Gov. Greg Abbott on Feb. 24 ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate two incidents with the Texas Lottery, including the Jackpocket win for the lottery drawing on Feb. 17 and a 2023 bulk purchase that led to a customer claiming a $95 million prize. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also launched an investigation Feb. 26. The target of the officials' investigation is courier services. These are third-party entities that allow customers to purchase digital lottery tickets of “nearly every possible number combination,” per Abbott, through a web-based application for a small price. “Texas citizens deserve far better than bad actors getting rich off of a lottery system that is open to exploitation, and we will hold anyone who engages in illegal activity accountable,” Paxton said in a statement. A 2024 report from the Florida Office of Program Analysis and Government Accountability reported that 19 states authorize the use of courier services. Texas was not one of those states. The Texas Lottery’s website clarifies in an FAQ section that “State laws and regulations do not permit the sale of tickets by mail, phone, or Internet” and that customers “Must buy tickets from a licensed retailer here in Texas.” The connection to sports betting DraftKings purchased Jackpocket for $750 million in 2024. Although Jackpocket is shutting down in light of the state’s decision, it was licensed to operate in Texas at the time the winning ticket was purchased. Pete Sullivan, SVP of Lottery at DraftKings, released a statement shortly after the controversy arose.  "Jackpocket has operated in Texas since 2019 with full transparency and in compliance with guidance from the Texas Lottery Commission. Despite our proven track record of compliance and commitment to responsible gaming, the Texas Lottery Commission has issued a new policy prohibiting our services, effective immediately. “We remain dedicated to working with policymakers to ensure access to secure lottery options and working with the Texas Lottery Commission to craft regulations that would allow lottery courier services to continue in Texas.” Lotto.com, another company that has operated in Texas since 2019, also shared its displeasure with the decision and said it was working with regulators to reach a compromise.  Meanwhile, Texas Lottery Commissioner Clark Smith resigned last Friday amid the boiling controversy, per CNN. Lt. Gov Dan Patrick is heavily involved in the investigation into the commission. He’s also a longstanding critic of sports betting and has been key in striking down past proposals for legal Texas sports betting, which makes the recent blow to the gambling industry all the more damning.  Rep. Matt Shaheen also told the Dallas Morning News two weeks ago that the House would “make sure [sports betting] is dead.” That’s despite Abbott showing openness to the idea.