As part of its ongoing commitment to responsible gambling and consumer protection, the Texas Lottery Commission has introduced a new step for players purchasing games at self-service vending machines.
On Dec. 30, 2024, age verification was implemented on all lottery ticket self-service vending machines across the state.
By law, players must be 18 years or older to purchase Texas Lottery tickets or redeem prizes at retail locations. Under this added measure, players seeking to purchase scratch tickets or draw game tickets from lottery vending machines, which are available at select retail locations, are now required to scan their governmentissued photo ID at the machine. The new age verification feature is intended to help retailers better monitor the vending machines to prevent underage purchases.
To ensure compliance with the minimum age requirements, transactions can only be conducted after the machine verifies the player is 18 years or older using a valid and unexpired ID. At this time, the machines are able to read the (PDF417) barcode located on the back of most stateissued IDs using the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) verification system. No data from the ID is collected or stored. “The new age verification measure will support retail staff in enforcing existing rules to prohibit minors from buying lottery tickets,” said Ryan Mindell, executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission. “We are working closely with our licensed retailers to ensure a smooth transition and help players understand the importance of this.”
Retailers are frequently reminded that it is an offense (Class C misdemeanor) to intentionally or knowingly sell or offer to sell a lottery ticket to a person the retailer knows is younger than 18 years old. Additionally, retailers are not authorized to pay a prize claimed by a minor or by an adult presenting a prize winning ticket on behalf of a minor. Violation of these laws and rules will result in an investigation and may lead to revocation of the retailer’s lottery sales license.
The Texas Lottery is committed to generating revenue through the responsible management and sale of entertaining lottery products. The prohibition on minors purchasing Texas Lottery tickets, which is part of the agency’s Responsible Gambling commitment, is displayed on all tickets, point-of sale materials, advertising and at selling events such as fairs and festivals.