Ticket checker for activating winning pre-printed game tickets so as to permit redemption of the tickets

A method for activating a player's previously purchased ticket that is preprinted with game content and which is associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some winning tickets, wherein a previously purchased winning ticket cannot be redeemed until it is activated, and wherein the winning ticket has a predetermined award amount, the method comprising:

• (a) scanning, by a ticket checker that is in communication with a ticket results database, machine readable indicia on the previously purchased ticket presented to the ticket checker by the player;
• (b) the ticket checker electronically communicating to the ticket results database that the previously purchased ticket was scanned at the ticket checker;
• (c) electronically recording in a ticket activation database that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker, thereby activating the winning ticket;
• and
• (d) electronically verifying in the ticket activation database, during redemption of the winning ticket, that the winning ticket was activated, and preventing redemption of a winning ticket that was not activated,
• wherein the previously purchased ticket is physically in possession of the player prior to performing steps (a)-(d), and
• wherein the ticket checker is not used for redemption of the winning ticket, and an activated winning ticket is redeemable by presenting only the ticket to the redemption entity.

A system for activating a player's previously purchased ticket that is preprinted with game content and which is associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some winning tickets, wherein a previously purchased winning ticket cannot be redeemed until it is activated, and wherein the winning ticket has a predetermined award amount, the system comprising:

• (a) a ticket results database that maintains records of winning preprinted tickets;
• (b) a redemption entity that redeems winning tickets;
• (c) a ticket checker that is in communication with the ticket results database and is configured to allow the player to scan machine readable indicia on the previously purchased ticket, wherein the ticket checker is configured to scan a previously purchased ticket that is in physical possession of the player, and wherein the ticket checker is not physically connected to a ticket dispenser or a ticket vending machine or any associated housing thereof, and wherein the ticket checker is configured to electronically communicate to the ticket results database that the previously purchased ticket was scanned at the ticket checker;
• and
• (d) a ticket activation database in communication with the ticket checker that electronically records that a winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker, thereby activating the winning ticket, wherein the ticket activation database is checked whenever a winning ticket is presented for redemption,
• wherein the ticket checker is not used for redemption of the winning ticket, and an activated winning ticket is redeemable by presenting only the ticket to the redemption entity, and
• wherein the redemption entity is configured to:
• (i) electronically verify in the ticket activation database, during redemption of the winning ticket, that the winning ticket was activated, and
• (ii) prevent redemption of a winning ticket that was not activated.