Lottery executive director in Texas steps down under mounting pressure from legislators
In a surprising move that's got everyone in Texas talking, Ryan Mindell, the bigwig of the Texas Lottery Commission, has thrown in the towel, effective immediately! The Lottery Commission broke the news in a release yesterday.
Mindell stepped up as the commission's big Cheese after Gary Grief, his predecessor and the agency's longest-serving boss, called it quits in 2024. Both Grief, Mindell, and the lottery itself have been under heavy flak from legislators, thanks to a couple of hot-button issues that refuse to cool down: the rampant use of third-party lottery ticket couriers and the $95 million jackpot scored by a single ticket-buying gang in 2023 who managed to snag almost every possible combination. Ouch!
Robert Rivera, the chair of the eagerly-awaiting lottery commission, made the announcement in a statement. He revealed that Mindell handed in his resignation on Monday.
So, who's going to be the new boss? The commission will kick off the hunt for a successor at their next meeting on April 29, 2025. The meeting schedule happens to line up perfectly with the commission's decision to boot out lottery couriers from the state. This decision comes amidst the ongoing storm of scrutiny and legislative chitchat about the lottery's business dealings.
[1] - Source: Texas Tribune (https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/29/texas-lottery-commission-director-resigns/)
[2] - Source: Austin American-Statesman (https://www.statesman.com/news/2025/03/29/texas-lottery-commission-plans-ban-lottery-couriers/)
[3] - Source: Dallas Morning News (https://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/2025/03/29/texas-lottery-commission-plans-to-ban-3rd-party-ticket-couriers-amid-controversy/)
- The Texas Lottery Commission's directors are planning to ban third-party lottery ticket couriers, a move that aligns with the ongoing scrutiny being faced by the lottery's business dealings. (Source: Dallas Morning News)
- Robert Rivera, the chair of the Texas Lottery Commission, received Ryan Mindell's resignation on Monday, a move that has been the hot topic of discussion since its announcement. (Source: Texas Tribune)
- The Texas Lottery Commission will be holding a meeting on April 29, 2025, where they will be discussing the appointment of a new director, a position that was left vacant following the resignation of Ryan Mindell. (Source: Austin American-Statesman)
