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Bill

SB 28

Relating to a lottery game played or facilitated for play by telephone or through an Internet or mobile Internet application; creating criminal offenses.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Carol Alvarado and 25 co-sponsors

Texas bill authorizes digital lottery games via phone and internet apps while criminalizing unlicensed operation, expanding gambling access and enforcement mechanisms.

Left pending in committee
#amusements #games #sports(i0034) #crimes--miscellaneous(i0200) #email&electroniccommunications(s0321) #internet(s0130) #lotteries(s0994) #lotterycommission #texas(v0454) #telephones&telephonedirectories(s5657)
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Bill Summary · SB 28

Legislative bill overview

SB 28 would authorize Texas to create a new lottery game that can be played via telephone, internet, or mobile applications. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized operation of such games or violations of the licensing framework.

Why is this important

This represents a potential expansion of legal gambling in Texas by bringing lottery operations into digital spaces where participation could increase significantly. The criminal provisions would create new enforcement mechanisms and legal liability for both operators and potentially users engaging in unlicensed lottery play.

Potential points of contention

  • Expansion of gambling access: Digital lottery availability could increase participation rates and raise concerns about problem gambling, particularly among younger or vulnerable populations who have easier phone/app access
  • Consumer protection questions: Unclear whether existing safeguards for traditional lotteries adequately protect digital players, and whether age verification and fraud prevention measures are sufficiently detailed
  • Criminal liability scope: The bill's criminal offense provisions may be ambiguous regarding who faces prosecution—operators only, or also individual players participating in unlicensed games

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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