A method for authenticating instant lottery tickets in a web-based program that links secondary activities to the tickets includes providing each lottery ticket with a validation code that links the lottery ticket to an electronic validation file in a database that contains a predetermined outcome and status of the lottery. Each lottery ticket is provided with a registration code separate from the validation code, wherein a player uses the registration code to register the lottery ticket in the web-based program. The registration code is an encrypted form of the validation code for each ticket. With a server and upon receipt of the registration code, the registration code is decrypted to determine the validation code. The validation file associated with the decrypted registration code is accessed and, from the validation file, the authenticity and status of the lottery ticket required for a valid entry into the web-based program is determined.