In a major legislative move, the Texas Senate has approved a bill to shut down the Texas Lottery Commission, potentially bringing dramatic changes to how the state’s lottery is managed. The bill now heads to the Texas House for further consideration. The decision follows months of controversy surrounding the use of online ticket sales and third-party courier services. Critics raised concerns about regulatory loopholes and lack of oversight, prompting Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other lawmakers to seek a structural overhaul of the state’s lottery operations.

According to the new proposal, the popular Texas Lotto game will no longer fall under the purview of the Texas Lottery Commission. Instead, its management would be transferred to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a move aimed at tightening oversight and streamlining operations. The legislative push came on the heels of a Travis County judge placing a temporary hold on rule changes that allowed the use of digital couriers for purchasing lottery tickets. This ruling intensified discussions around accountability, technological regulation, and gambling ethics in Texas.

While the current bill effectively dismantles the commission, it does not yet eliminate the lottery game itself. Lawmakers have instructed the Sunset Advisory Committee to conduct a comprehensive review by August 2027. Depending on the outcome, the Texas Lotto could be abolished altogether.

The upcoming Texas House vote will determine whether this legislative effort to shut down the commission becomes law. If passed, the Department of Licensing and Regulation would inherit the responsibility of managing the state lottery, a significant shift that could influence the future of lottery-based revenue and public trust. As Texas residents watch closely, the debate over regulation, modernization, and the ethical implications of gambling continues to take center stage.