After one year on the job Ryan Mindell is stepping down as the Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission. This marks another headline in the ongoing turmoil surrounding the TLC and lottery courier services.
Mindell replaced Gary Grief, who retired in February of 2024 but is now currently involved in a fraud lawsuit over his relationship with couriers in the past. Grief was officially replaced by Mindell last April.
Mindell spent most of his year in charge debating with Texas lawmakers on the authority the TLC had to take action against lottery couriers. Things came to a head in February when an $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot was won by a courier player, using Jackpocket.
Soon after, Mindell issued a release that the TLC was pursuing a courier ban following added pressure from Texas’ top government officials.
According to multiple media outlets, TLC Chairman Robert G. Rivera announced Mindell issued his resignation on Monday.
Mindell at odds with legislators for past year
Though Mindell was only Executive Director of the TLC for a year, he had been with the organization in various roles since 2016.
It was in April 2023, that the courier saga in Texas was put in the spotlight. A group of investors called “Rook TX” purchased nearly every outcome of a Lotto Texas drawing through the use of couriers. The nearly $26 million purchase was in order to win a $95 million jackpot.
That event, along with further accusations of Grief working with couriers to enhance lottery sales and defrauding in-state players led to the lawsuit from Dawn Nettles, founder of LottoReport.com.
Since Mindell’s time at the helm, the Sunset Advisory Commission (SCA) pushed him and the TLC to take stronger action against couriers. Mindell pushed back, looking for legislators to provide guidance on what the TLC could do.
Mindell had taken steps to help improve the integrity of the state lottery during his year in leadership. He had ID scanners added to all lottery vending machines in the state. He also limited the speed at which lottery machines can print tickets in order to avoid massive bulk purchases like what happened with Rook TX.
February courier win gets ban started
As the TLC and SCA seemed to be getting on the same page, another large Lotto Texas jackpot was won through a courier on Feb. 17 of this year.
Unlike the 2023 incident, a single female player purchased 10 tickets through Jackpocket, winning the $83.5 million jackpot.
The win was immediately scrutinized by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. All called for investigations into the win and the Texas Lottery. The winner has still not received their payout, and is pursuing legal action.
In the days following, TLC Commissioner Clark Smith stepped down and Mindell issued a press release stating the TLC was pursuing a courier ban. It stated:
“Lottery ticket courier services are not allowed under Texas law and that the agency will move forward with proposed rule amendments prohibiting lottery courier services within the state. The Policy is effective immediately and aligns with legislative efforts to address serious concerns raised by players and state leadership regarding the integrity, security, honesty and fairness of lottery operations.”
The ban on couriers is expected to be legally in place on April 29 when the Commission board has their next open meeting. Most of the couriers elected to cease operations in the state when the initial release came out.
Chief Financial Officer Sergio Rey is serving as Acting Deputy Executive Editor of the TLC for the time being while the board considers Mindell’s permanent replacement.
Lawmakers pursuing defunding Texas Lottery
Adding to the pressure on Mindell and the TLC is that the Texas House passed a budget earlier this month that would remove funding for the Texas Lottery.
The budget calls for all funding to be removed from the organization for the 2026-27 spending plan, which could impact around $2 billion in funding for the state.
That budget has not yet been approved by the Senate.
Other bills have also been proposed to deal with couriers, including HB3201, which would call for regulatory framework to allow couriers to operate in Texas. SB1346 has also been proposed, which would prevent customers from purchasing all possible winning outcomes of a lottery drawing.
