AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Legislation aimed at dissolving the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) is moving closer to ratification. On Friday night, Senators endorsed House amendments to Senate Bill 3070, forwarding the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott for signing.
SB 3070 would permit the continuation of lottery games but would dissolve the TLC, transferring oversight of the Texas Lottery and Charitable Bingo to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This decision comes in response to numerous scandals involving the commission, which have led to investigations by both the Texas Rangers and the Attorney General’s Office.
State Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, introduced the legislation after initially proposing a bill to entirely eliminate the lottery. The final version of the bill mandates a sunset review for the new Texas Lottery division within TDLR to evaluate its effectiveness. A determination on whether to completely abolish the lottery will be made in 2029.
“Specifically, the sunset review will examine if TDLR has adequate resources to guarantee the integrity of the game,” Hall stated on the Senate floor Friday. He mentioned that TDLR would not disburse lottery prizes unless the winner submits required IRS forms that are subsequently verified. The legislation also proposes the termination of lottery mobile applications.
Should Abbott sign the bill into law, the lottery will have until this summer to transition over to TDLR prior to the TLC’s dissolution on September 1. Since the TLC is already scheduled for a sunset review, an Abbott veto would still result in the TLC being dissolved on September 1, consequently eliminating the Texas Lottery as well.
Following earlier votes in the House, the commission released a statement indicating its commitment to adhering to legislative decisions. “The TLC is ready to fully assist the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to ensure a smooth, seamless, and successful transition for the administration of both the lottery and charitable bingo,” the commission’s statement noted.
Hall has previously expressed his desire for the state to completely withdraw from the lottery business. On Friday, he hinted that additional legislation might be forthcoming.
“Senate Bill 3070 marks a new phase in our efforts to shield Texans from a vice that preys on the most vulnerable in our state. However, this is just the beginning,” Hall commented.