History of Texas Lottery in Timeline
The Texas Lottery, operated by the Texas Lottery Commission and associated with International Game Technology, is a state-run lottery in Texas. Over its three decades, it has faced scrutiny and investigations from Texas lawmakers and media, raising concerns about its operations. These investigations reflect ongoing oversight of the lottery's practices and management.
1975: International Game Technology formed
International Game Technology was formed in 1975.
July 11, 1991: House Bill 54 introduced for a state lottery
On July 11, 1991, House Bill 54 was introduced in Texas for the creation of a state lottery.
November 5, 1991: Texas voters approve lottery sales
On November 5, 1991, Texas voters approved an amendment to the Texas Constitution, authorizing lottery sales within the state.
November 7, 1992: Lotto Texas sales began
On November 7, 1992, sales began for Lotto Texas.
November 14, 1992: First drawing of Lotto Texas
On November 14, 1992, the first drawing of Lotto Texas was held.
November 28, 1992: First Lotto Texas jackpot won
On November 28, 1992, the first Lotto Texas jackpot was won by a resident of Schulenburg.
October 25, 1993: Pick 3 Game Launch
On October 25, 1993, the Pick 3 game began, offering four daily draws.
1993: Joan R. Ginther first win
From 1993 to 2010, Joan R. Ginther became a four-time winner of prizes over $1 million, first from Lotto Texas.
May 18, 1998: Texas Million Launch
Texas Million began on May 18, 1998, offering a top prize of $1 million.
1998: Negative reports on IGT
In 1998, Texas news media prominently featured negative reports on the state’s lottery contractor, IGT.
1999: Study on lottery spending trends published
In 1999, Donald I. Price and E. Shawn Novak conducted a study, published in the National Tax Journal, that examined spending trends on Lotto, Pick 3, and Instant games and discovered that all three were regressive kinds of taxes that disproportionately affected low-income, less-educated, and minority groups.
2000: Thomas Henderson claimed winning jackpot
In 2000, Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, the former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, claimed a winning jackpot in excess of $14 million.
May 11, 2001: Texas Million Discontinued
On May 11, 2001, Texas Million was discontinued, having awarded its top prize to 25 winners during its run.
July 29, 2002: Cash Five Sales Begin
On July 29, 2002, sales began for Cash Five, a daily-draw game that replaced a similarly named game.
2002: Linda Cloud resignation
In 2002, Linda Cloud resigned, admitting to lying to media regarding "her knowledge of accusations that a former lottery commissioner had harassed and bruised a female lottery employee during a lunch meeting".
2003: Texas joined Mega Millions
In 2003, Texas joined the Mega Millions consortium, with sales beginning December 3 and the first drawing to include Texas on December 5.
February 1, 2004: Lone Star Millions game ended
On February 1, 2004, the Lone Star Millions game ended.
October 4, 2004: First Texas jackpot winner of Mega Millions
On October 4, 2004, the first Texas jackpot winner of Mega Millions occurred. A Carrollton player won the $101 million prize.
2006: GTECH acquisition by Lottomatica
In 2006, GTECH was acquired by Lottomatica.
September 30, 2007: Daily 4 Sales Begin
Sales for the Daily 4 game, which is drawn 24 times weekly, began on September 30, 2007.
October 13, 2009: Mega Millions and Powerball Agreement
On October 13, 2009, an agreement was reached in principle between Mega Millions and Powerball operators, allowing lotteries to cross-sell both games, with January 31, 2010, as the earliest possible date.
January 31, 2010: Texas Lottery begins selling Powerball tickets
On January 31, 2010, the Texas Lottery Commission agreed to begin selling Powerball tickets, as part of the cross-selling arrangement between Mega Millions and Powerball operators.
2010: Joan R. Ginther fourth win
From 1993 to 2010, Joan R. Ginther became a four-time winner of prizes over $1 million, subsequently three times from scratch tickets.
2012: GTECH contract estimated at $100 million annually
In 2012, GTECH's contract with the Texas Lottery was estimated at about $100 million annually, making it the fourth-largest vendor to the state. The lottery operator has been implicated in numerous scandals regarding its management of the state lottery.
April 14, 2013: Lotto Texas Extra! Option
On April 14, 2013, Lotto Texas introduced the Extra! option, costing an additional $1 per play, offering chances to win various amounts for matching numbers.
April 17, 2013: First Lotto Texas Extra! Drawing
The first Lotto Texas drawing to include Extra! winnings was held on April 17, 2013, marking the start of the new Extra! option impacting prize payouts.
April 23, 2013: House votes not to recommission Texas Lottery Commission, then reverses course
On April 23, 2013, the Texas House initially voted against recommissioning the Texas Lottery Commission, potentially ending the lottery. However, later the same day, the House reversed its decision with a new vote.
October 19, 2014: Monopoly Millionaires' Club Sales Begin
On October 19, 2014, sales for Monopoly Millionaires' Club (MMC) began, with drawings held on Fridays and each play costing $5.
December 12, 2014: Texas Suspends MMC Sales
Texas suspended sales of Monopoly Millionaires' Club (MMC) following the drawing on December 12, 2014.
September 28, 2015: Texas Triple Chance Play Begins
On September 28, 2015, play began for Texas Triple Chance, a $2 game with a $100,000 top prize, featuring multiple chances to match numbers.
2015: GTECH merger with International Game Technology
In 2015, GTECH merged with International Game Technology (1975–2015).
April 2016: Television Game Show Continues Airing
In April 2016, the television game show tied to the Monopoly Millionaires' Club (MMC) continued airing, even after the lottery game's suspension.
July 28, 2018: Final Texas Triple Chance Drawing
The final drawing for Texas Triple Chance was held on July 28, 2018, marking the end of the game.
September 1, 2018: Bonus program for retailers discontinued
Prior to the 2018 fiscal year, the Texas Lottery Commission paid retailers a bonus for selling top-prize tickets for in-house draw games and for scratch tickets winning $1 million or higher. This program has been discontinued as of September 1, 2018.
2018: Cash Five Relaunch
In 2018, Cash Five relaunched with a new matrix, improved odds, and guaranteed prizes, including a $25,000 top prize.
2018: Lottery revenue was allocated
In the 2018 fiscal year, lottery revenue was allocated as.
2019: Resellers operate legally in Texas
Since 2019, Resellers, known as ticket couriers, have operated legally in Texas.
August 23, 2021: Lotto Texas Monday Drawing
On August 23, 2021, Lotto Texas introduced a Monday drawing, expanding from its previous Wednesday and Saturday schedule.
2022: $1.9 billion was transferred to the Foundation School Fund
In FY 2022 alone, $1.9 billion was transferred to the Foundation School Fund.
April 2023: Violations of state and international laws
In April 2023, violations of state and international laws amid a "long-running fraud scheme in collaboration with Lottery.com and its executives" were alleged.
2023: Texas House interim report on lottery ticket sales
According to a November 2024 Texas House interim report, courier services accounted for $101 million in lottery ticket sales over the first seven months of the 2023 financial year in Texas.
2023: $95 million jackpot obtained through scheme
In 2023, a consortium led by Bernard Marantelli obtained official IGT ticket-printing terminals and produced nearly all possible number combinations in Texas lottery tickets to obtain a $95 million jackpot, leading to accusations of theft.
November 2024: Courier services accounted for $101 million in lottery ticket sales
According to a November 2024 Texas House interim report, courier services accounted for $101 million in lottery ticket sales over the first seven months of the 2023 financial year in Texas.
February 14, 2025: Class-action lawsuit filed
On February 14, 2025, a class-action lawsuit was filed alleging violations of state and international laws in April 2023 amid a "long-running fraud scheme in collaboration with Lottery.com and its executives."
February 28, 2025: Texas Senate voted to ban courier services
On February 28, 2025, the Texas Senate voted to ban courier services from participating in the purchase of lottery tickets.
March 2025: Texas Scorecard released a documentary film
In March 2025, Texas Scorecard released a documentary film, Rigged: How the Lottery is Playing Texans, outlining corrupt practices by Texas Lottery through its operator, IGT, via its remote courier, adopted as resellers during the pandemic, and subsequently retained, despite state law specifying that Texas Lottery must be "played in-person, with cash, at a brick-and-mortar location conducting regular business."
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