TORONTO - Starting today, retailers are not allowed to validate Ontario lottery tickets unless customers sign them on the front.

Players are also asked to sign the back of Instant Win tickets until a new signature box is added to the front in the coming months.

The signature requirement is the second new measure added by the Ontario Lottery Corp. in as many weeks to improve security.

New musical chimes and voice alerts took effect Jan. 22 at all lottery terminals to help inform players of the status of their ticket.

If a lottery ticket is a winner, a special chime plays, followed by a voice telling the customer they've won.

If the customer isn't entitled to prize, a short little chime will play, followed by a voice saying `no prize.'