Texas lottery boss charged over $95m Australian gambling syndicate win
Consensus Summary
A former Texas Lottery Commission executive, Gary Grief, was charged in May 2026 with abuse of official capacity after an investigation into a $95 million jackpot won by Australian gamblers who purchased nearly 26 million tickets in 72 hours. The operation, funded by high-profile figures including Tasmanian gambler Zeljko Ranogajec and art collector David Walsh, relied on last-minute approvals and resources from the Texas Lottery Commission. While no charges were filed against the gamblers or their associates, Griefâs lawyer argues the case is politically motivated, claiming he cooperated fully with investigators. Texas Governor Greg Abbott previously ordered a probe by the Texas Rangers, which led to Griefâs indictment, though details of the alleged misconduct remain limited. The Texas Lottery Commission itself was initially charged but the case was later dropped.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Gary Grief, former executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission (2023), was criminally charged with abuse of official capacity (first-degree felony) involving over $300,000
- Australian gamblers bought nearly 26 million lottery tickets in a 72-hour period to win a $US95 million jackpot (paid as $US57 million lump sum)
- The operation involved four separate retailers and crews working round the clock, with machines delivered last-minute with the Texas Lottery Commissionâs approval
- Zeljko Ranogajec (Tasmanian gambler) and David Walsh (MONA gallery founder) funded the syndicate, while Bernard Marantelli (Melbourne-born former banker) ran operations on the ground
- Ade Repcenko (convicted fraud, former boyfriend of Miranda Kerr) acted as a liaison between the syndicate and lottery retailers
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an investigation by the Texas Rangers in 2025 to identify wrongdoing and restore public trust in the lottery
- A grand jury indicted Grief in May 2026, with charges relating to misuse of government property/services/personnel
- The Texas Lottery Commission was initially named in a criminal charge, but that was abolished in 2025
- The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (now running the lottery) declined to comment on the case
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A lawyer for the winning syndicate stated 'all applicable laws, rules and regulations were followed'
- Ranogajec previously told THEAGE 'the Texas Lottery Commission facilitated the play by providing terminals, paper and ink'
- Marantelli claimed he personally saw a commission official during the delivery/installation of new lottery machines at a retailerâs premises
- A senior executive from Lottery.com testified that Grief personally assured the company it was acting within the rules (Grief denies this)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Griefâs lawyer claims he 'committed no crime' and was made a 'scapegoat,' but the grand jury indicted him for abuse of official capacity
- Grief denies assuring Lottery.com executives they were acting within the rules, while a senior executive testified he did so
Source Articles
Lottery boss criminally charged after Australiansâ $US95m win
Gary Grief has been accused of abusing his office after Australian gamblers were allowed to buy nearly 26 million tickets in 72 hours.
Lottery boss criminally charged after Australiansâ $US95m win
Gary Grief has been accused of abusing his office after Australian gamblers were allowed to buy nearly 26 million tickets in 72 hours.