Couldnt a lotto retailer simply scan lotto instant win games they have on the rack to see if they are winners?

I noticed after turning in a winning NY lotto instant win scratch off game ticket (what a mouthful) that all the retailer had to do to verify a win was scan the bar code on the back of the ticket. It made me wonder if they could just scan all the unplayed tickets they have on the roll to see if those are winners. Of course there must be legal rights against the retailer from doing this, but they could simply have their friends buy the winning tickets. I was hoping someone else out there thought about the same thing and may have answers.... thanks in advance!