While Gov. Greg Abbott has declined to say whether the Texas Lottery should be shut down amid growing scrutiny, he says an ongoing investigation will determine what reforms—or prosecutions—may be necessary.
Last month, Abbott called on the Texas Rangers to investigate the lottery following revelations about unregulated courier services, suspicious jackpot wins, and allegations of money laundering.
Asked during a press conference today whether it was time to end the lottery, Abbott told Texas Scorecard the investigation would “shed more light on exactly what’s going on and what needs to be done in response to it.” He pointed to possible criminal action if wrongdoing is uncovered and suggested the Texas Lottery Commission itself may need reforms.
“If the investigation turns up information that would lead to a potential prosecution, that should be undertaken,” Abbott said. “If the investigation leads to, let’s say, inadequate measures that they have at the commission, those measures need to be reformed.”
He also noted that the Texas Lottery Commission is currently up for review in the state’s Sunset process, meaning lawmakers will have the opportunity to determine whether the agency should continue operating as is, undergo reforms, or face more drastic action.
“This is something that’s going through the Sunset Commission this session,” Abbott said. “I think legislators have a key role to play in that process to determine what the future of the Lottery Commission looks like.”
Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers and Attorney General Ken Paxton have launched separate investigations, while the Senate unanimously approved legislation to end online lottery ticket couriers last week.
Abbott’s comments came as he accepted the Site Selection Magazine’s “Governor’s Cup,” an award given annually to states to acknowledge their role in economic development. This is the 13th year in a row Texas has won the award, with Abbott promising a 14th next year.
“Texas truly is the land of economic freedom, freedom that soaks self-determination to achieve things once thought impossible, freedom that will propel Texas to global economic dominance, and we will continue to foster that economic freedom to ensure that Texas remains the economic engine of the United States of America,” said Abbott.
