Legal Lottery
The state’s ability to protect lottery winners from predatory finance companies comes before the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday. At issue? Whether a measure lawmakers passed in 1999 banning winners...
View ArticleThe Brief: February 1, 2010
THE BIG CONVERSATION:Life is full of missed opportunities. Voting in the March 2 primary doesn’t have to be one of them.Today is the last day to register for that particular election.To be eligible to...
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On the Records: Mapping Lottery Sales
Earlier this week, the Austin American-Statesman published an interesting series about the Texas Lottery.The first story, written by Eric Dexheimer, noted how the game has evolved since it launched in...
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On the Records: Lottery Maps, Part II
Last week we noted a series by the Austin American-Statesman about the state of the Texas Lottery, which has evolved over time from a Lotto-centric business to one that now relies heavily on instant...
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Pay to Win
If you're lucky enough to win the lottery, you can cash in not just some but all of your future payouts for a lump sum. The Texas Supreme Court last week invalidated a state law that prohibited winners...
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We Lose?
-->Citing performance issues and alleging a conflict of interest, critics blasted a decision announced Friday by the Texas Lottery Commission to renew a 10-year operations contract with Rhode...
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Ruling Allows Second-Chance Online Lottery to Continue
Those who bought losing scratch-off tickets for the Texas lottery should still be able to enter online for a follow-up contest, according to an opinion issued by the Attorney General’s office this...
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Groups Bank on United Front in Gambling Push
Despite persistent political resistance inside and outside the Legislature, the push to expand gambling options in the state is back on this legislative session, and the various gaming interests —...
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House Makes Switch on Texas Lottery Commission
Updated, 4:35 p.m.: In a 91-53 vote Tuesday afternoon, the Texas House passed House Bill 2197, continuing the the Texas Lottery Commission. An earlier vote Tuesday had failed to continue the...
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House Approves Continuation of Lottery Commission
After a near-death experience in the House on Tuesday, the Texas Lottery Commission is still on life support.The House voted 88-54 Wednesday to continue the agency’s operations, though the majority of...
View ArticleVideo: Lottery Commission Bill Moving Forward
After an unexpected debate that spanned two days, House members passed House Bill 2197 - to continue the Texas Lottery Commission — with a key provision that could ultimately lead to its demise.
View ArticleTexas Weekly Newsreel: West, the Lottery and the Rainy Day Fund
In this edition of the Newsreel: The conversation in West turns to regulation, the Senate wants to ask voters to use Rainy Day Fund money, the House undoes the state lottery and then puts it back...
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In Legislature, Do-Over Votes Raise Questions
This is one in a series of occasional stories about ethics and transparency in the part-time Texas Legislature.The Texas Legislature took three high-profile mulligans last month. Twice in the House and...
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Lottery Watchdog Says She Will Stay on Guard
Dawn Nettles chuckled when she talked recently about how her friends and family hate her passion for the Texas Lottery, which has consumed many of her waking hours for more than 20 years.During that...
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After 18-Hour Debate, House Gives Early Approval to Budget
After 18 hours of debate that veered from polite disagreements to an angry outburst, the Texas House tentatively passed a $210 billion two-year budget early Wednesday morning with a 141 to 5 vote. With...
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Details Murky on State's Largest Contracts
Contract High is an occasional series looking at how Texas outsourced crucial state services for two decades — and got smoked.Amid a gusher of news in recent months over a handful of troubled state...
View ArticleVideo: Agriculture Commission Has Hand in Texas Lotto
Millions of dollars ride on the balls the Texas Lottery uses for its various drawings. The state Department of Agriculture helps preserve the integrity of the process as part of its consumer protection...
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Analysis: Abbott and the Challenge of Twisting State Agency Arms
Here are the legal powers of a Texas governor: Veto, appointment and persuasion.The first and second are pretty clear. The governor can veto legislation he or she doesn’t like, and the Legislature can...
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Analysis: Texas, Gambling and Al Capone
Editor's note: If you'd like an email notice whenever we publish Ross Ramsey's column, click here.Texas legislators are going to have to figure out whether they want to allow the private sector to...
View ArticleLegal Lottery
The state’s ability to protect lottery winners from predatory finance companies comes before the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday. At issue? Whether a measure lawmakers passed in 1999 banning winners...
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