Dispensing apparatus (10) is provided for dispensing lottery tickets (73) by the checkout operator at a retail outlet. The dispenser assembly (13) containing the tickets (73) is controlled by a central processing unit (18), connected to the cash registers (12), which records the dispensing of tickets (73) from said dispenser assembly (13). The dispenser assemblies (13) are removable for relocation to a service station at which the central processing unit (18) may be operated in a secure manner for loading and unloading the relocated dispenser with tickets to be dispensed or for repair, checking or servicing.
