Jessica Mendoza

By the spring of 2023, the dynamic duo seemed ready to take on the Texas lottery. Marantelli had figured out the method. The Joker had the money to front the operation. And their plan was actually really simple. What gives you the best odds to win the lottery? Buy as many tickets as you can. And for this lottery, that actually seemed possible.

Right. They don't want to split the pot with anybody else.

Right. They don't want to split the pot with anybody else.

Right. They don't want to split the pot with anybody else.

There were 25.8 million number combinations for the drawing. So to tip the scales in their favor, Marantelli and the Joker planned to buy almost all the tickets at a dollar a pop. So around $25 million worth. But the timing was key. Marantelli and the Joker needed to wait until the jackpot was big enough for their gamble to pay off.

There were 25.8 million number combinations for the drawing. So to tip the scales in their favor, Marantelli and the Joker planned to buy almost all the tickets at a dollar a pop. So around $25 million worth. But the timing was key. Marantelli and the Joker needed to wait until the jackpot was big enough for their gamble to pay off.

There were 25.8 million number combinations for the drawing. So to tip the scales in their favor, Marantelli and the Joker planned to buy almost all the tickets at a dollar a pop. So around $25 million worth. But the timing was key. Marantelli and the Joker needed to wait until the jackpot was big enough for their gamble to pay off.

Jackpot draws in the Texas lottery are three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. And on Wednesday, April 19th, no one had the winning numbers. So the cash rolled over into the next drawing on Saturday. At that point, what was the jackpot?

Jackpot draws in the Texas lottery are three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. And on Wednesday, April 19th, no one had the winning numbers. So the cash rolled over into the next drawing on Saturday. At that point, what was the jackpot?

Jackpot draws in the Texas lottery are three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. And on Wednesday, April 19th, no one had the winning numbers. So the cash rolled over into the next drawing on Saturday. At that point, what was the jackpot?

That's when the crew knew they needed to spring into action.

That's when the crew knew they needed to spring into action.

That's when the crew knew they needed to spring into action.

It was go time. That's after the break. Hey, we're so excited for tonight.

It was go time. That's after the break. Hey, we're so excited for tonight.

It was go time. That's after the break. Hey, we're so excited for tonight.

The following story about the Texas lottery is based on interviews with people who were directly involved in the Texas operation or in contact with those who were. The Wall Street Journal also reviewed photos and video of the operation, emails and messages, and documentation of subsequent hearings in the Texas Senate.

The following story about the Texas lottery is based on interviews with people who were directly involved in the Texas operation or in contact with those who were. The Wall Street Journal also reviewed photos and video of the operation, emails and messages, and documentation of subsequent hearings in the Texas Senate.

The following story about the Texas lottery is based on interviews with people who were directly involved in the Texas operation or in contact with those who were. The Wall Street Journal also reviewed photos and video of the operation, emails and messages, and documentation of subsequent hearings in the Texas Senate.

In order to collect a prize from the Texas lottery, Marantelli's team needed to have a winning ticket that was printed.