The Texas Lottery Commission began laying the groundwork Wednesday to take over the $95 million-a-year operation historically carried out by a private corporation in the event that the state is no longer satisfied with its work.

Officials made clear that the prospect of the lottery severing its 14-year relationship with Rhode Island-based Gtech Corp. was highly remote.

But they also expressed deep concerns over recent reports that the gaming giant, which is soon to be sold to the Italian firm Lottomatica, had engaged in bribery with lottery officials in other states and countries and had paid money to consultants in countries where it was seeking to do lottery business.

Many of the questionable dealings were first laid out to the lottery commission last month by Texas Department of Public Safety officials who have examined Gtech's operations to make sure Texas' interests are not compromised once the deal with Lottomatica is finalized.

Bruce Turner, Gtech's chief executive officer, said the corporation has instituted numerous changes and safeguards in recent years to raise the ethical standards of its employees and consultants worldwide. And he said those standards would remain in place after operations are realigned under Lottomatica's management.