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Oregon gaming officials consider ban on lottery courier services, other measures to restrict cross-border wagering

Dan Holmes

Sports Writer

Publish Date: Jul 22, 2025

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

Key Points

The Oregon State Lottery is considering new rules to prohibit lottery ticket courier services often used by out-of-state consumers
Bordering states are urging Oregon lottery officials to pass measures to curb courier services
"Handful" of ticket courier services are operating in Oregon

The Oregon Lottery is moving to rein in third-party ticket couriers, proposing new rules that would ban out-of-state sales and impose strict requirements on retailers who partner with the services.

Lottery officials argue the absence of clear rules for courier services presents “substantial risks” to the organization’s constitutional mandate to ensure fairness, security, and honesty in its games.

Under the plan, selling lottery tickets to customers located outside Oregon would be prohibited. Retailers who contract with couriers would also face new requirements for record-keeping and the secure storage of tickets purchased on behalf of clients.

In a proposal filed July 14, lottery officials cited “significant legal and integrity concerns” as the primary motivation for the changes.

The matter is scheduled for a public hearing on Aug. 20

In the latest news, officials acknowledged their blind spots regarding the services, stating they are aware of only 'a handful' of courier operations and about a dozen partnered retailers, but do not know the true extent of their sales.

Ticket courier services offer customers an opportunity to acquire lottery tickets from states they are not via a broker that purchases ticket courier services receive a handling fee for each transaction.

These services have been criticized for circumventing the in-state process, and for gaining revenue for state-run services in other jurisdictions. States like Texas have argued that its lottery is intended for citizens and visitors to the Lone Star State only.

Bordering states urge Oregon to take action

The push for regulation is not occurring in isolation. The lottery stated that since April, “concerns about couriers have escalated through media reports, foreign regulators and state legislatures,” prompting a reevaluation of Oregon's hands-off approach.

“Recent developments have promoted [sic] the [Oregion] Lottery to reevaluate its approach to courier services,” the agency said in a written statement. “Since April 2024, concerns about couriers have escalated through media reports, foreign regulators and state legislatures.” The lottery regulators went on to say that communications from other states have “intensified the pressure and made it clear that Oregon needs clear regulatory guidance for Lottery retailers who work with couriers.”

Pressure has mounted following actions in other states

The Texas Lottery Commission recently voted to ban couriers after fraud allegations emerged, a move Lotto.com is challenging in court.

California’s Attorney General issued an opinion that ticket couriers should be prohibited, and Indiana’s governor signed a ban into law this spring, casting a blow against the industry.

While some states move toward prohibition, others are choosing regulation. Arizona, New Jersey, and New York have opted to formally oversee courier services, creating a licensed and structured environment for their operation.

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