Texas Lottery Commission’s Gary Grief Announces Retirement

Agency’s executive director and longest-serving employee will retire at the end of February

AUSTIN, Texas (January 26, 2024) – Gary Grief, the Texas Lottery Commission’s executive director since 2010 and its longest-serving employee, recently announced he will retire at the end of February 2024, concluding 32 years of loyal service and dedication to advancing the agency’s primary mission of generating revenue for public education and veterans’ services. Grief made his announcement in early December.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Texas and contribute to the incredible success of the Texas Lottery,” said Grief. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with a dedicated team that has built the Texas Lottery into one of the preeminent lotteries in the world, and I’m very proud of the positive impact we’ve made on public education, veterans’ services and other important causes in Texas over the years.”

As a foundational piece of the Texas Lottery, Grief committed 32 years of tireless service to the agency in various roles, including: assistant claim center supervisor, acting claim center supervisor, claim center manager, lottery operations director along with two stints each as acting executive director and deputy executive director before ultimately being appointed executive director in 2010.

Texas Lottery Commission’s Gary Grief

As executive director, Grief has brought unparalleled dedication and leadership to the Texas Lottery while keeping the agency’s mission to generate revenue for public education and veterans’ service at the core. Grief guided the Texas Lottery to record-breaking sales levels every year, generating approximately $19.5 billion for public education and veterans’ services in Texas during his executive director tenure.

Texas Lottery Commission Chairman Robert Rivera acknowledged Grief’s outstanding contributions stating, “Gary leaves an indelible legacy of growth and excellence at the Texas Lottery. His leadership, passion and dedication have been instrumental in advancing our mission. We thank him for his outstanding service and wish him a fulfilling retirement.”

Under Grief’s visionary and innovative guidance, the Texas Lottery consistently contributed over $1 billion to the State of Texas, including more than $2 billion for the first time in the agency’s history in the most recent completed fiscal year. Over the same period, the Texas Lottery went from a $3.73 billion sales operation in FY 2010 to an $8.73 billion enterprise in FY 2023.

A globally recognized figure in the lottery industry, Grief served as the Game Lead Director for Mega Millions from September 2010 to August 2012, acting as the worldwide spokesman during the game’s record jackpot run in 2012. His influence extended to the international stage, where he was a sought after speaker at national and international lottery events, delivering keynote addresses and contributing to conference panels. Over the course of his career, Grief served on numerous Multi-State Lottery Association and NASPL workgroups and committees.

In 2014, while serving as North American State and Provincial Lottery Association (NASPL) President, the Texas Lottery joined the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and he later served as MUSL President in 2017. During the historic January 2016 $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot frenzy, Grief chaired the Powerball Game and represented the industry worldwide, making appearances on news and talk shows globally.

Recognizing his outstanding contributions, Grief received the NASPL Powers Award in 2002, the Public Gaming Research Institute’s (PGRI) Major Peter J. O’Connell Lottery Industry Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and was elected to the PGRI Lottery Industry Hall of Fame in 2014.

Grief plans to spend his retirement travelling with his wife and spending more time with his family and grandchildren.

About the Texas Lottery

Beginning with the first ticket sold in 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated $38.3 billion in revenue for the state and distributed $84.7 billion in prizes to lottery players. Since 1997, the Texas Lottery has contributed $32.3 billion to the Foundation School Fund, which supports public education in Texas. As authorized by the Texas Legislature, certain Texas Lottery revenues benefit state programs including the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. Since the first veterans’ themed scratch ticket game was launched in 2009, the Texas Lottery has contributed more than $229 million for programs supporting Texas veterans.

The Texas Lottery provides several entertaining games for lottery players including Powerball®, Mega Millions®, Lotto Texas®, All or Nothing™, Texas Two Step®, Pick 3™, Daily 4™, Cash Five® and scratch ticket games. For more information visit us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube or at texaslottery.com. PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

SOURCE: Texas Lottery.