How ticket redemption works at the counter

From the moment a machine prints a ticket to the end-of-shift report, here's how redemption should work at the counter, and where it usually goes wrong.

Most of the work of running amusement machines happens at the counter. A player brings a ticket, the cashier redeems it, and at the end of the shift the numbers need to add up. Here's how that flow works when it's done well.

1. The machine prints a ticket

When a player is done, the machine prints a ticket with the amount and a unique validation number, usually as a barcode. That number ties the ticket to the machine and the moment it was printed.

2. The cashier scans it

At the counter, the cashier scans the barcode. Typing the number by hand works in a pinch, but scanning is faster and avoids mistakes.

3. The system checks it

Before anything is handed over, the system should confirm three things:

The ticket is real and came from one of the store's machines.
It hasn't been redeemed before.
The amount matches what the machine recorded.

If any of those fail, the cashier should see a clear message and know what to do next, not a cryptic error code.

4. The cashier redeems it

What a ticket can be redeemed for depends on your state's rules. The cashier picks an allowed option, hands it over, and the system marks the ticket as redeemed so it can't be used again.

5. The shift closes

At the end of the shift, every redemption is already counted. The cashier confirms the totals, prints the shift report and hands off to the next person. If something doesn't match, the report points to the exact ticket or step to check.

Where it usually goes wrong

Duplicate tickets. Without a central check, the same ticket, or a copy of it, can be redeemed twice. Each validation number should only ever be redeemed once.
Unreadable barcodes. Worn printers and crumpled tickets happen. Keep printers clean and give cashiers a safe way to enter the number by hand.
Internet outages. If redemption depends on a website, an outage stops the counter. A server in the store that keeps working offline avoids that.
Counts that don't match. When redemptions live on paper or in separate systems, the shift close turns into detective work. One system for tickets, meters and closes fixes that.

What good looks like

A cashier should be able to redeem a ticket in a few seconds, with one scan and one tap, and close a shift without a calculator. The owner should see the same numbers from home. That's the bar we built EasyPlay to clear.

Operating in Georgia? Read what changed in the 2026 prize rules.