Texas has fitted its lottery ticket vending machines with new devices to prevent underage consumers from buying tickets. Beginning Dec. 30, 2024, the state has implemented a policy that requires customers to scan their ID when purchasing lottery tickets from a vending machine.
The Texas Lottery Commission regulates lottery sales in the state, which is one of the jurisdictions that permit the sale of tickets via unattended kiosks or vending machines. But now, the Commission has added an authentication step that it says will “help retailers better monitor the vending machines to prevent underage purchases.”
Consumers must be at least 18 years of age to purchase lottery tickets in Texas.
How to Scan Your ID at a Texas Lottery Ticket Vending Machine
The Texas Lottery listed these steps in a press statement announcing the new policy:
- Scan long barcode on back of your driver’s license or other government-issued ID.
- Use the same scanner for checking lottery tickets (for winners). To do so, hold your ID horizontally underneath the scanner, barcode facing up.
- Adjust the position of your ID around until a beep confirms the barcode was read.
- Cover the smaller UPC barcode and try moving ID closer and farther away from scanner if you have difficulty scanning.
No personal information or photo from your ID will be stored on any government servers. The process is to verify age only.
The state is working to educate the public and retailers of the policy change.
Ryan Mindell, Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission commented on the new feature in the release.
“We are working closely with our licensed retailers to ensure a smooth transition and help players understand the importance of this change.”
Couriers the only online lottery available in Texas
Though Texas doesn’t have legalized online lottery, residents can still purchase lottery tickets through online means.
The state has five courier services operating in its borders. They take online orders and provide physical, retail copies of select draw games and scratch tickets to the customer.
The couriers that operate in Texas are:
- Jackpocket
- Jackpot.com
- theLotter
- Mido Lotto
- Lotto.com
These couriers have become somewhat of a point of contention in Texas. State legislators believe the Texas Lottery Commission is allowing these couriers to act outside of the law, while the commission is seeking legal leadership from the government on the matter.
Recently, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas has stated these couriers infringe on their tribal gaming rights. The Kickapoo have threatened to expand gambling on their own accord if action isn’t taken by the government.