I Finally Found The Best Way To Check Texas Lottery Tickets

Until recently, I was the world's worst lottery player.

So how does someone earn the title of "World's Worst Lottery Player?" It's simple: my method of checking results. My strategy was always this—wait until the lottery announced there was an unclaimed jackpot, then check my ticket. Turns out, that's a great way to miss out on all the little wins along the way.

So what changed?

The Lottery Kiosks Were Driving Me Crazy

Let's start with this: I love the Texas Lottery kiosks...when they're actually working.

I've tried at least a half-dozen of them, and only one has ever been able to read my driver's license. It's a perfectly fine license—no cracks, no peeling, nothing wrong with it. So naturally my brain goes, "If this thing can't read my driver's license, maybe I shouldn't trust it to read my lottery tickets either."

Maybe that's irrational. Maybe it's not. Either way, I wasn't a fan.

So the other day I caught myself thinking, "Someone really ought to make a lottery ticket reader app."

Turns Out They Already Did

Well, as usual, I was late to the party.

Not only does an app already exist, but the Texas Lottery has one of its own. I downloaded it, and honestly, it knocks it out of the park. It has no problem scanning tickets, even the ones that have been folded up and rattling around in your wallet for weeks.

The best part isn't even how easy it is—it's what happens when you win.

Sure, winning is fun. That's obvious. But the app gives you a little burst of celebration. It lets out a cheerful "Yoo-hoo!" while confetti rains across your screen. I was honestly expecting more of a "Yee-haw!" since we're talking about Texas, but maybe there's a marketing department somewhere that has strong opinions on celebratory catchphrases.

Either way, it works.

Now I'm checking my tickets regularly instead of waiting for news reports about missing millionaires. It's actually kind of fun.

Nessmania

Well...right up until the app cheerfully informs you that you didn't win a thing. That part still needs a software update.

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