RALEIGH (AP) -- Now, you can strike it rich from a vending machine.

The state has launched sales of scratch-off lottery tickets in vending machines, offering 24 games costing a dollar to ten dollars.

About 500 machines are being installed statewide at supermarkets including Food Lion and Lowe's Foods. Lottery deputy executive director Alice Garland says some convenience stores with high ticket sales also are getting machines as a way to free up clerks.

The machines will not sell tickets for other games, including Pick 3, Carolina Cash 5 and Powerball.

Garland says the machines should be placed where clerks can watch them to make sure there are no underage ticket sales. The vending machines come with a remote power switch that allows clerks to shut them down if underage players try to play.

Virginia has sold lottery tickets through vending machines since 1990, and Maryland began using them in 1998. Lottery vending machines are illegal in South Carolina.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)