Will This Be The End for the Texas Lottery?

May 19, 2025 – In a sweeping move that could reshape how gaming is regulated in the state, the Texas Senate voted unanimously to eliminate the Texas Lottery Commission. The decision comes amid growing scrutiny of the agency’s operations, with lawmakers citing concerns over alleged corruption, lack of transparency, and poor financial oversight.

“The lottery is a tax on poor people and on people who can’t do math. Rich people and smart people would be in the line if the lottery were a real wealth-building tool, but the truth is that the lottery is a rip-off instituted by our government. This is not a moral position; it is a mathematical, statistical fact. Studies show that the zip codes that spend four times what anyone else does on lottery tickets are those in lower-income parts of town. The lottery, or gambling of any kind, offers false hope, not a ticket out.”
― Dave Ramsey

Under the Senate’s proposal, the duties of the Texas Lottery Commission would be transferred to another state agency, yet to be determined, which would continue overseeing the state’s lottery operations, including scratch-off tickets and multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions. Lawmakers supporting the measure say the change is necessary to restore public trust in the system and ensure that lottery revenues are properly managed and directed to their intended use—public education.

The timing of the vote is significant, as the Texas Lottery Commission is approaching its “sunset” date, a point at which the agency would automatically dissolve unless lawmakers choose to renew or reform it. With the Senate’s decision, attention now turns to the Texas House, which has until May 27 to either approve the Senate’s plan or propose its own alternative.

Supporters of the overhaul say it is a long-overdue correction to a system that has operated for years with minimal oversight. Opponents warn that abrupt changes could disrupt lottery operations and funding streams for public education.

If the House approves the reforms, Texas will enter a new era in lottery governance—one where accountability and transparency are intended to be front and center. The outcome of the House’s decision could determine the fate of billions of dollars in annual lottery revenue and the structure of gaming oversight in Texas for years to come.