In most families, holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for children and teens include scratch-off tickets or lottery tickets. If a ticket is a winner, can minors legally claim the winnings in Texas?
Those under 18 cannot pay for lottery passes in The state of texas
Players must be 18 years old to purchase lottery tickets from a licensed retailer in Texas. Players can also purchase tickets online from Jackpocket, but again, they must be 18. Any lottery ticket purchased by someone under 18 is considered void.
Can minors in Texas receive a lottery ticket from an adult? The answer is yes. Minors can legally possess Texas lottery tickets. Can minors claim winnings from lottery tickets? Once again, the answer is yes, with conditions.
Those under 18 can maintain winnings by using a adult
When a minor is gifted a lottery ticket that wins, the process for claiming the winnings depends on how much they won. If it’s less than $600, then the winnings can be paid to an adult family member or even a parent. For winnings that exceed $600, Texas law requires the money to be deposited into a bank account or other financial institution of the minor’s family member or parent.
A minor’s family member can include an adult parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, brother, uncle, or aunt, whether of whole blood or half blood or by adoption. Also, the minor does not lose claim to the money over time. It is up to the guardian or family member to act as a fiduciary of the funds and act in the best interests of the minor.
If the winnings are items other than cash, like a property or car, the cash equivalent of the prize must go to the minor.
The state of texas Lottery attempts giving lotto tickets to be able to minors
While it seems benign, allowing minors to gamble can create a path toward irresponsible gambling. This is why the Texas Lottery is an active advocate for the Play Responsibly campaign. The campaign educates adults about the risks of giving children lottery tickets, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.
“Youth problem gambling has emerged as a significant and growing public health issue. We applaud the Texas Lottery’s commitment to raising awareness about the risks of youth gambling through the Play Responsibly campaign. Our message is a simple one: Lottery tickets are never appropriate gifts for children.”
So, while minors have a legal avenue to claim winnings from lottery tickets, adults should refrain from giving them tickets.
It’s important to remember that each state has its own laws and practices concerning minors and lottery tickets.
T. T. McBride is a writer and reporter based in Denver, Colorado, who covers the Denver Nuggets as a beat writer and the current gaming landscape in Texas. His byline can be found on many websites, including ESPN, FiveThirtyEight, Bleacher Report, and others.
