Jessica Mendoza

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.

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

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

To get all those tickets printed in time, Marantelli and the Joker needed help. So Marantelli's team made a key connection on the ground in Texas with a startup called Lottery.com. It's a ticket purchasing company, one that was on the ropes.

To get all those tickets printed in time, Marantelli and the Joker needed help. So Marantelli's team made a key connection on the ground in Texas with a startup called Lottery.com. It's a ticket purchasing company, one that was on the ropes.

To get all those tickets printed in time, Marantelli and the Joker needed help. So Marantelli's team made a key connection on the ground in Texas with a startup called Lottery.com. It's a ticket purchasing company, one that was on the ropes.

Lottery.com contacted the Texas Lottery Commission and requested access to official ticket printing terminals. And apparently, the commission said yes. Other lottery retailers pitched in as well.