Secretive Aussie gambler dubbed ‘The Joker’ takes down US lottery

In 2023, a team of international gambling whizzes sparked outrage in Texas after scoring a monster $US95 million ($151 million) jackpot — by buying up nearly all of the 25.8 million possible combinations for $US1 apiece.

The April 22 drawing was the third largest lotto jackpot in Texas history.

After taking a lump sum payout of $US57.8 million ($92 million), the group walked away with a profit of about $US20 million ($32 million).

The prize had been claimed by a Delaware limited partnership called Rook TX, with lottery officials saying the winner had elected to remain anonymous.

News of the audacious bulk buying scheme, first broken by the Houston Chronicle late last year, sparked outrage from Texas politicians, who cried foul and even alleged corruption inside the Texas Lottery Commission.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick earlier this month called it “the biggest theft from the people of Texas in the hi...
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