The investigation into two controversial lottery jackpots in Texas had drummed up questions about the role of online ticketing firms known as lottery couriers in the state – and nationwide.

The Texas Senate unanimously passed a bill on Thursday to ban courier services from helping customers buy lottery tickets. The move follows a controversial $83 million jackpot award. State Sen. Bob Hall,

But the present controversy over so-called lottery couriers appears to have struck a deeper chord because it raises questions over whether ordinary players have a fair shot at winning, and because the Legislature had largely been kept into the dark about the intricacies of courier companies' business practices.

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate the bulk purchase of millions of dollars with worth of lottery tickets.

Unanimous passage in the Senate comes after top Texas officials say the third-party services undermine trust in the lottery.

An industry trade group said SB 28, which bans lottery courier companies, is an overreaction to comparatively rare practices within the industry.

A man from Malta. A London-based betting company. The Texas Rangers. Here’s everything to know about the controversy.

Discover the implications as the Texas Senate passes bill to specifically ban online lottery ticket sales and regulate couriers.

Four days after the Texas Lottery Commission changed its precedent by banning lottery couriers, the Texas Senate unanimously voted to make them illegal.

Under the proposed amendments, a retailer that works in concert with a courier service would have their lottery ticket sales agent license revoked.