Casinos Tracking Play
Written May 22, 2008 by Jack Jones
It’s common practice for casinos to track your betting habits and to monitor your wagering strategies. Currently it’s done at the slot machines, but soon there will be radio frequency identification (RFID) chips at the tables. Slots have a fully automated player tracking system that starts as soon as your swipe your slot club card. The onboard software knows your name, favorite machines, denomination of play, how much you have pumped in, and how much you have won. Next there are going to be betting chips with silicon implants that will be doing the same.
Right now you can play at the tables with almost complete anonymity, but when the RFID chips hit the market that protection will be a thing of the past. These chips will work as transponders that will listen for a radio signal sent out. These chips can be embedded in almost anything and are currently used for inventory purposes, among other things. The prices of RFID chips continues to drop, and it is becoming cost-efficient to put them into almost anything.
Without the RFID chips, the casinos try to monitor your play with nothing more than an educated guess. Chip tracking will work to improve the accuracy of the information the casino has as to player habits.
Your wagering will be tracked automatically and accurately, so there won’t be a need to hassle anyone for comps. Once these bad boys are scanned at the tables and matched up with player cards, operators will be able to track every gambler in the casino, learning their stakes, wins, and losses. If a high roller tries to leave with the house’s money, you can bet someone will be hunting him down enticing him to continue his play.
Chips will also help management keep tabs on the staff, from blackjack dealers trying to sneak chips to the waitresses and how much money they are being tipped.