Texas Lottery Done? House Advances Bill to End Commission

• Amid scandals, investigations, and rising political pressure to dismantle the Texas Lottery Commission, lawmakers advanced a bill this week putting the future of the $2 billion-a-year lottery in jeopardy.

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Lottery, long a fixture of state-funded education and veterans’ programs, is now hanging in the balance after the Texas House State Affairs Committee voted 10-4 to advance a compromise bill that would abolish the Texas Lottery Commission on Tuesday.

This puts the future of the $2 billion-a-year enterprise in doubt.

The bill, Texas SB 3070, which was introduced as a middle-ground solution amid mounting controversies and political pressure, would transfer oversight of the lottery to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). It also includes significant reforms, including mandatory age verification for all ticket sales, limits on bulk purchases, and a complete ban on online courier services often criticized for enabling underage and out-of-state play.

The legislation mandates that the lottery be re-evaluated by the state’s Sunset Advisory Commission by August 31, 2027, potentially setting the stage for a full repeal. The move follows the Senate’s unanimous passage of a similar measure on Thursday, authored by Sen. Bob Hall, a longtime critic of the lottery.

Hall and other conservative lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Shaheen, initially pushed for complete abolishment. Their efforts were fueled by recent Texas Lottery scandals, most notably a 2025 incident in which a syndicate reportedly purchased nearly every combination of Lotto Texas tickets to win a $83 million jackpot. Another 2023 controversy sparked an ongoing investigation by the Texas Rangers, launched at the urging of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott.

The House vote signals a preference for reform rather than outright elimination, but the issue remains far from settled. Without renewed funding and passage of one of two pending sunset bills (HB 1505 or SB 2402), the Texas Lottery could cease operations as early as September 1, 2025.

Reform Or Repeal? Lottery Debate Overshadows Sports Betting

Public opinion remains sharply divided. On social media, posts range from calls to “let it die” to passionate defenses of its contributions to public education. Critics argue the lottery functions as a regressive tax, disproportionately impacting low-income Texans. Supporters warn that eliminating it without a funding replacement could blow a hole in state education and veterans’ budgets.

With lawmakers consumed by the fallout and reform of the Texas Lottery, efforts to legalize Texas sports betting have been sidelined entirely in 2025. For now, the future of state-run gambling in Texas hinges not on expanding options but on whether the lottery itself survives this latest political reckoning.

News tags: Bob Hall | Dan Patrick | Greg Abbott | House State Affairs Committee | Lotto Texas | Matt Shaheen | Sunset Advisory Commission | Texas | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation | Texas Lottery Commission | Texas Rangers | TX HB 1505 | TX SB 2402 | TX SB 3070