During the short public portion of its meeting, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s board appointed staff and an auditor from the scandal-plagued Lottery Commission to continue running the state’s lottery and bingo operations.
TDLR board Vice Chair Thomas Butler claimed they did not have enough time to properly vet and select staff.
After controversy and investigations into two major jackpots, lawmakers came close to abolishing the Texas Lottery this year. Accusations of money laundering and illegal online ticket sales led to leadership resignations and heavy scrutiny from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and lawmakers.
As a compromise, the Texas Lottery Commission was closed, but the lottery itself was saved; supervision of the lottery was transferred to TDLR.
The September 4 meeting was largely held in executive session—closed to the public. The public portion lasted roughly 15 minutes.
Despite conflict of interest concerns, the board voted unanimously to appoint an auditor recommended by former Texas Lottery Commission staff. Butler claimed that TDLR selected the Texas Lottery Commission’s recommended auditor because “time has not allowed” them to choose a new one, adding that he wishes they “had a better answer.”
TDLR also appointed Bingo Advisory Committee members directly from the Texas Lottery Commission, which is now separate from the Lottery. This vote was also unanimous, despite another conflict of interest concern voiced by an individual who attended the public portion of the meeting. There is one remaining vacancy left by an unnamed former board member who stepped down.
Names of the individuals appointed to the Lottery Advisory Committee were not mentioned during the public portion of the meeting, although an ongoing interview process was mentioned by a board member.
TDLR’s next public board meeting will take place on October 28 and will be broadcast on its YouTube channel.
