Abstract: A patron inserts a coded game card into a game machine which reads the code and determines whether the game card has been played within a designated time period. If the game card has been played within such period, the game machine is not permitted to operate and a message will be generated. If the card has not been played within the time period, the game machine operates and randomly positions a number of product and/or service representations with respect to one another. Prescribed combinations of the representations permit the patron to win a prize. Symbols, which may include symbols representing a business identity, may optionally be employed as wild cards in forming the prescribed combinations. In addition to bearing a unique game card code, the game card can also contain establishment codes which permit a game card to be played only at particular establishments. Other game cards can be specially coded to provide maintenance instructions to the game machine.