Abstract: A coupon validation system for interpreting coupons presented thereto, each of the coupons incorporating a bar code having a validation date and a message code. The system comprises a real time clock for maintaining a current date record, a memory for storing one or more winning number codes, apparatus for receiving a coupon presented to the system and in response reading the bar code, and a microcomputer for comparing the validation date with the current date record and in the event the current date record is not equal to the validation date then rejecting the coupon, and in the event the current date record is equal to the validation date then comparing the one or more winning number codes with the message code and in the event they are equal generating a message for indicating that the coupon is a winner, and in the event the one or more winning number codes and the message code and are not equal then generating an alternative message for indicating that the coupon is not a winner.