Lottery Chief Resigns After 'Greatest Theft' within the Historical past of Texas

[ad_1] Ryan Mindell introduced his resignation as government director of the Texas Lottery Fee (TLC) on Monday after the state-funded physique was engulfed in a collection of scandals.

In 2023, a single purchaser bought round 25.8 million $1 Texas lottery tickets, almost all there have been, in an effort to safe a $95 million jackpot in what Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick referred to as "the largest theft from the individuals of Texas within the historical past of Texas."

The TLC advised Newsweek it doesn't touch upon personnel issues or have extra data past a press release launched on Monday when contacted for remark.

Why It Issues In recent times, the Texas Lottery has turn into embroiled in a variety of scandals and is at present underneath investigation by the Texas Legal professional Common's Workplace and the Texas Rangers from the Division of Public Security.

What To Know On Monday in a press release, TLC Chairman Robert G. Rivera stated that Mindell had "notified the Texas Lottery Fee board of his resignation, efficient right this moment."

Mindell served as government director for precisely one 12 months, following the resignation of his longstanding predecessor Gary Grief. He beforehand labored as deputy government director, operations director and assistant normal counsel for the TLC.

On this picture illustration, a lottery ticket is proven on a Chevron fuel station countertop on July 28, 2022 in Houston, Texas. On this picture illustration, a lottery ticket is proven on a Chevron fuel station countertop on July 28, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell/GETTY In 2023, a $95 million jackpot was received by a consortium led by London-based dealer Bernard Marantelli, which bought almost the entire 25.8 million attainable quantity mixtures at $1 per ticket.

Based on the Wall Road Journal, Marantelli and his associates obtained official ticket-printing terminals, which they operated across the clock to provide the requisite tickets.

Lieutenant Governor Patrick described their win as "the largest theft from the individuals of Texas within the historical past of Texas" although Marantelli's authorized consultant insisted that "all relevant legal guidelines, guidelines and rules have been adopted."

The Texas Lottery has additionally been criticized over the operation of ticket courier providers, third-party firms that promote sport tickets by smartphone apps.

In March 2025, one girl, who stated she had a $83.5 million successful Texas Lottery jackpot ticket, was advised she would not obtain any cash till the completion of separate investigations led by Legal professional Common Paxton and the Texas Rangers. It emerged her ticket had been bought through an internet courier app.

Following criticism, the TLC modified its guidelines to ban bulk purchases from skilled gamblers together with courier firms.

The Texas Lottery, which was launched in 1992 with approval from the state legislature, says it has generated over $40 billion for the state authorities.

Round $34 billion has gone to the Basis Faculty Fund, which helps public schooling in Texas, with funding additionally going to the Texas Veterans Fee Fund for Veterans' Help, based on Texas Lottery.

What Folks Are Saying In his assertion,TLC Chairman Rivera stated: "Ryan Mindell notified the Texas Lottery Fee board of his resignation, efficient right this moment, April 21. Sergio Rey, the company's Chief Monetary Officer, has been appointed Performing Deputy Govt Director of the Texas Lottery. The Fee board will contemplate its choice course of for a brand new government director at its subsequent open assembly, scheduled for April 29."

Talking to the Austin American-Stateman, state Senator Bob Corridor, a Republican, welcomed Mindell's resignation. He stated: "I'm in favor of doing something that places an finish to lottery in Texas whereas we shield the cash that was going to veterans."

What Occurs Subsequent The Texas Legislature has set the TLC's price range at $0 for 2 years starting in September, a transfer that would nicely bankrupt the physique until a compromise is discovered. Investigations into the TLC from the Legal professional Common's Workplace and the Texas Rangers look set to proceed.