Why a £64 Million Lottery Winner Can’t Claim Her Prize? The Truth Revealed!

Winning the lottery is often seen as the ultimate dream: the excitement of cashing in a life changing prize and purchasing things you never thought possible. But for one woman in Texas, winning the jackpot has turned into a nightmare as she’s been blocked from claiming her prize due to a controversy over the method used to buy her ticket.

The Controversial Lottery App

The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, purchased her ticket using an app called Jackpocket, a service owned by sports betting company DraftKings. Jackpocket allows users to buy lottery tickets directly from their phones, providing convenience and security for those who prefer to play from home. The woman had been using the app for several years without issue and had always been paid for her winnings, according to her attorney, Randy Howry.

“She just preferred to play this way and felt more safe and didn’t have to leave her house,” Howry told PEOPLE. However, this time, her win was about to be blocked due to growing controversy over the use of third-party couriers to purchase lottery tickets.

Political Fallout and Scrutiny

The controversy surrounding Jackpocket has attracted attention from Texas officials, including Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. After the draw, Patrick visited the Winners Corner store in North Austin, where the winning ticket was reportedly purchased via a courier. On social media, he expressed concerns about the integrity of the lottery system, saying, “If people are going to have confidence in the lottery, we have to be sure that no one has an advantage.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also weighed in, announcing that state law enforcement officials would investigate the drawing, as well as previous wins from April 2023. Abbott emphasized the need for transparency and integrity in the state’s lottery system, assuring Texans that investigations would ensure the lottery was conducted lawfully.

Investigation Delays the Payout

Despite the woman’s efforts to follow the rules and her history of using the app without issues, she has been told that she cannot claim her prize until the investigation is complete. Howry stated that the woman had a preliminary check and was scheduled to meet with state lottery officials. However, on the day of the meeting, she was informed that her payout would be delayed indefinitely.

“She played by all the rules,” Howry said. “She did everything the right way. She’s just a regular citizen who decided to play the lottery…If you allow a person to play by your rules and they win and you refuse to pay ’em, then why would anyone play the Texas lottery going forward?”

The Woman’s Frustration

The woman herself expressed frustration at the situation. In an interview with Austin American-Statesman, she remarked, “I literally spent $20. I didn’t spend $26 million to run every single possible combination of numbers.” She also pointed out that if the Texas Lottery Commission didn’t investigate the April 2023 jackpot winner, it was not her fault.

A Broader Debate Over Lottery Integrity

This case has sparked a wider debate over the role of third-party services like Jackpocket in the lottery system. While these apps provide convenience, they also raise concerns about fairness and transparency, especially when large sums of money are at stake. As the investigation continues, many are watching closely to see how the state addresses the issue and whether the woman will ever receive her well-earned winnings.

In the end, this case serves as a reminder that sometimes the path to lottery winnings isn’t as straightforward as it seems, especially when technology and politics collide.