Yes, it is very possible. First, I buy 99% of my tickets from the vending machines at the grocery store. I know store employees stock them, usually the manager and one other person. This would cut down on the possibility of them scanning the tickets since they don't have the time. I have pulled many winners from these machines, probably since they are "untouched".
I have also noticed that many of the gas stations that sell lottery tickets usually have a few loose tickets tucked into the dispenser on top of the rolls.
Why would they be there?
Anyway, the state doesn't care if we win or not. They want to sell tickets. One of the most consistent big winners in the state is a little gas station in the Western part of the state, I think in Newton. There was a story on LP a while back on them.
The tickets are printed in Georgia. They have serial numbers and are very traceable. The lottery knows exactly where each pack is going and what it contains. The folks at the printing plant would know the winning rolls, but not where they ended up. But they could tip off a relative to be on the look out for a certain pack.
I really dislike the new scanners on the vending machines. Now they can trace exactly what amount you put into the machine, what and how many of each ticket you bought, and exactly when you visited and how many you bought each day.
The scanner doesn't really stop kids from buying tickets. I have seen many parents "unlocking" the machines and then the kids, some as young as 6, picking their tickets.
The scanner only stops illegals from playing, since they don't have a state license.