Validation of instant win lottery tickets

The validation of an allegedly winning ticket from a series of instant win lottery tickets includes providing on each ticket of the series a validation number or VIRN unique to the ticket which is printed on the ticket in machine readable format, preferably a bar code format and covered by a scratch-off layer. The VIRN is read by a scanner of a validation terminal operated by an agent and is compared at a data source with a list of the validation numbers of the winning tickets in association with a predetermined prize value of the associated ticket. The validation process is enhanced by causing a display screen of the terminal to communicate the requirement to the agent for input into a key pad of required information from the alleged winning ticket including a confirmation of inspection of the validity of the ticket and a game number read from the ticket.