Texas Court Blocks Lottery Ban on Courier Services
A court has issued a ruling temporarily blocking the Texas Lottery from enforcing its ban on lottery courier services.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The decision comes barely a week after the Texas Lottery Commission voted to prohibit lottery couriers and penalize retailers who don't comply.
However, the case had been initiated by Lotto.com a week before the policy was approved. The suit listed the Texas Lottery Commission and Texas Lottery Acting Deputy Executive Director Sergio Rey as defendants, challenging their sudden decision to ban courier services.
In a win for Lotto.com, State District Judge Sherine Thomas has granted a temporary restraining order (TRO), blocking the TLC from enforcing its new rules against the operator.
Judge Thomas issued the TRO because he found that the company would likely suffer irreparable harm without immediate relief, and there were no other adequate legal options.
The judge also determined that Lotto.com's TRO application had merit and noted that the courier has a strong chance of success in its lawsuit against the TLC.
The TRO is currently active, but it's not a final decision. The court will further the issue at a temporary injunction hearing on May 27, 2025.
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Coalition Applauds Ruling
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers has expressed its satisfaction with the court's decision.
A statement from the group read: "By granting Lotto.com's request for injunctive relief, the court affirmed that Lotto.com's legal challenge of the Texas Lottery Commission's attempted courier ban will likely prevail on the merits of its claims. For years, the TLC provided lottery couriers with the authorization, equipment, and guidance they needed to operate, only for the agency to abruptly reverse course in February and overstep its authority by calling for their elimination."
The coalition also offered its support for a balanced approach to regulation that prioritizes the integrity of the Texas Lottery while serving customers.
Lotto.com is the primary lottery courier platform challenging the Texas Lottery's ban policy. Other companies like Jackpocket have exited the jurisdiction since the ban was announced.
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