Texas Lottery Commissioner Clark Smith resigned Friday as lawmakers continue to investigate the agency’s handling of third-party courier services, which some fear allows individuals to manipulate the system.
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Clark Smith, the Texas Lottery Commissioner, has stepped down as the agency encounters increasing scrutiny from lawmakers regarding third-party courier services, which some worry may be facilitating illegal participation in the lottery. A spokesperson for the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) confirmed that Smith has resigned, effective Friday, but did not offer additional details.
His departure comes after a heated state Senate Finance Committee hearing. Smith and other TLC officials faced intense questioning regarding couriers—third-party services enabling players to buy tickets online. Lawmakers raised concerns following the $95 million jackpot win in 2023, which was claimed by companies that printed nearly every possible ticket combination, including one that utilized a courier. The recent $83.5 million jackpot, claimed in February, has brought renewed attention to the issue.
TLC officials stated that they did not possess the legal authority to oversee couriers but have since addressed the problems that previously enabled mass ticket purchases. Nonetheless, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick raised concerns, and a forthcoming bill prohibiting courier services is scheduled for examination in a Senate committee.
Smith’s resignation marks the agency's second notable departure within a year, following former Executive Director Gary Grief’s departure in 2024. Grief is now confronted with allegations of fraud and a lawsuit asserting that he intentionally assisted courier companies in manipulating the system. Lawmakers have proposed that he may be subject to criminal charges.
Smith, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in late 2023 for a term extending until 2029, departs with a four-member commission as legislative scrutiny grows stronger.
