Published on: February 25, 2026, 01:35h.
Updated on: February 25, 2026, 01:35h.
- A woman from Texas has accepted guilt for embezzling nearly $100,000 from a nonprofit organization.
- The accountant lost the funds by gambling at an unregulated online sweepstakes casino.
- The individual responsible will serve 50 days in county jail.
A woman from Texas, having confessed to misappropriating nearly $100,000 from a nonprofit dedicated to helping those in crisis, is set to serve 50 days in county jail. However, her punishment extends beyond her incarceration.
This morning, KLTV reported that Smith County District Court Judge Kerry Russell has sentenced Dawn Michelle Pitcock, 54, to 50 days of incarceration, 240 hours of community service, along with a restitution payment of $117,010.65. Furthermore, the convicted accountant is mandated to pay at least $1,300 monthly to Hand Up Network, the Tyler-based charity she victimized.
Hand Up offers “a hand” rather than “a handout” to survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence. The nonprofit also provides assistance with immigration services such as acquiring residency cards and citizenship documentation.
Charitable Funds Misused for Gambling
As the accountant for Hand Up Network, Pitcock confessed to pilfering funds through 283 unauthorized transactions to an Apple Pay account that she controlled. A financial audit revealed that she siphoned off $96,826.58 between March 2024 and March 2025.
The stolen funds were utilized to purchase virtual chips on an online sweepstakes casino platform. These unregulated gambling sites employ a dual-currency system where players can buy and utilize sweeps coins, redeemable for cash wins.
When first questioned by the CEO of Hand Up, Pitcock claimed that her Apple Pay account had been compromised and that both her iPad and iPhone had been stolen and improperly used during the year in question. Eventually, she admitted to the theft, acknowledging that all misappropriated funds were lost due to online gambling.
In Texas, commercial gambling is predominantly restricted, with the only legal form being the state-sponsored lottery. Online casinos and sports betting remain prohibited within the state.
Issues with Unregulated Gaming
Social sweepstakes casinos, which essentially enable players to gamble for real cash, have drawn criticism from the regulated gaming industry and faced scrutiny from regulators, attorneys general, and lawmakers.
While many states have issued cease-and-desist orders to these unregulated sweepstakes platforms, notable examples including Chumba Casino, Modo Casino, and Stake remain operational in Texas.
These platforms persist in Texas, along with a multitude of other online sweepstakes casinos.
Unlike regulated gambling entities, which are obliged to provide responsible gaming features and enforce consumer protection measures, there is no governing body overseeing sweepstakes to enforce such protocols.
A Casino.org investigation last year established an account and gambled for real money. After terminating the account and stating that it was due to gambling-related issues, a representative responded:
“Fingers crossed for better luck next time! If you wish to reactivate your account, simply reach out to me, and I will do my utmost to add some complimentary sweeps coins for you upon reactivation.”