The bill, H.B. No. 389, seeks to regulate lottery games played or facilitated via telephone or through Internet and mobile applications in Texas. It amends Section 466.015(b) of the Government Code to include provisions for enforcing prohibitions against individuals under 18 years of age participating in lottery games, as well as those facilitating such games through the aforementioned digital platforms. The new language specifies that the Texas Lottery Commission must adopt rules to ensure compliance with these regulations.

Additionally, the bill introduces Section 466.318, which explicitly prohibits individuals from purchasing or facilitating the purchase of lottery tickets through telephone or online means. Violations of this section are classified as criminal offenses, with a Class C misdemeanor for purchasing a ticket and a Class A misdemeanor for facilitating ticket sales for compensation. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 466.015 (Government Code 466)