Abstract: A ticket dispensing mechanism is disclosed having a housing, a worm and drive, an idler roller, and a drive roller that engages the worm. Rotating the worm rotates the drive roller to advance a strip of tickets placed between the drive roller and the idler roller. A sensor detects ticket movement and a control circuit controls the worm drive motor to rotate the worm until the appropriate number of tickets have been dispensed. A slotted mounting for the drive roller accommodates tickets of different thickness, and locks the tickets against unauthorized withdrawal.