Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate the bulk purchase of millions of dollars with worth of lottery tickets.

But the present controversy over so-called lottery couriers appears to have struck a deeper chord because it raises questions over whether ordinary players have a fair shot at winning, and because the Legislature had largely been kept into the dark about the intricacies of courier companies' business practices.

A man from Malta. A London-based betting company. The Texas Rangers. Here’s everything to know about the controversy.