A Texas woman is suing the state Lottery Commission after more than three months passed without her receiving an $83.5 million jackpot payout, despite her ticket matching the winning numbers, court documents obtained by CNN reveal.

The lawsuit, filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe, emphasizes the basic expectation: “If you win, you should get paid.” It challenges the commission’s refusal to pay, arguing it shouldn’t require legal action to collect legitimate lottery winnings.

Doe purchased her winning ticket on February 17 for the “Lotto Texas” game through Jackpocket, a lottery courier app that buys physical tickets on behalf of customers. The numbers on her ticket matched those drawn that same evening.

Shortly after her win, then-Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced plans to ban courier services under Texas law—a ban that went into effect May 19, following Mindell’s resignation in April. The lawsuit argues that this retroactive rule change cannot legally invalidate Doe’s winning ticket, purchased before the ban.

The Texas Lottery Commission declined to comment due to pending litigation.

The complaint also raises concerns that Doe’s unpaid winnings might be redirected to pay other lottery obligations or liabilities, potentially diminishing the amount owed to her.

Doe’s attorneys have filed for a temporary restraining order and injunction to prevent Acting Deputy Executive Director Sergio Rey from disbursing any funds that could affect her prize.

“If Mr. Rey is not restrained and enjoined from disbursing or diminishing the Plaintiff’s jackpot prize winnings, Plaintiff will suffer damages that will be incapable of being measured by any certain pecuniary standard,” the court filing states.

CNN reached out to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office, Jackpocket, and Rey for comment.

What is a Lottery Courier Service?

Lottery courier services purchase tickets on behalf of customers, typically through mobile apps, then notify them of any wins. These services coordinate buying physical tickets from licensed retailers, providing a convenient way to play games across state lines. Some couriers even offer access to national lotteries like Mega Millions and Powerball.

Courier services have operated in Texas since 2019 but came under scrutiny after a single entity used one service to buy 25 million tickets in under 72 hours—covering nearly every number combination—to capitalize on a massive jackpot. This investor doubled their money, winning $57.8 million before taxes.

Currently, courier services operate in 19 states, but only New York, New Jersey, and Arkansas regulate the industry. Texas lacks such regulations, meaning couriers do not need a license or permission to operate.

Victor Matheson, an economics professor, notes that couriers provide convenience and access to out-of-state lotteries but come with potential downsides, including fees, legal complications, and the absence of ticket purchase limits. Additional concerns involve interstate sales regulations, underage players, and ticket-buying syndicates.