Abstract: In a method and apparatus for awarding a prize in a commercial establishment which includes at least one data terminal for communicating over at least one data line with a central processing unit, the communicating of the at least one data terminal including a data stream of information representing a commercial transaction performed at the data terminal, the improvements are:a) detecting the data stream;b) extracting signals identifying the commercial transaction performed at the at least one terminal from the detected data stream;c) comparing the identifying signals with predetermined reference signals and generating an enabling signal when a predetermined relationship exists between the reference and identifying signals; andd) generating a win signal upon receipt of the enabling signal; and, for awarding a prize based on the win signal.