Any casino using an RFID system to track player's actual bets??

[Alan Mendelson]

When RFID chips were first introduced the companies displayed systems that would measure and track the bets placed at each position on a blackjack table. The RFID companies said this would lead to more accurate tracking of player bets for comps and for recording action.

The original RFID companies also said that with newer technology they could develop similar systems for craps tables.

I saw the demo table for tracking RFID bets at the Global Gaming Expo about six years ago, but I never saw a system for tracking craps bets.

I don't know of any casino that actually uses a system to track player's bets with RFID chips. Does anyone?

The only casinos I know of that use RFID chips are Wynn and Aria. Bellagio does not, and I found that out after that big chip heist despite the internet chatter that the chips had RFID. Bellagio does not use them.

In the case of Aria, I was told that the RFID chips are used only to authenticate the larger denomination chips. I don't know if Wynn can track actual bets with them.

Anyone know?

In the original promotional talk for RFID the companies were saying that RFID systems could track chip movements throughout the casino -- on game tables, from table to table, if a player left the casino with the chips, etc.

The latest I heard is that they are just scanned to be sure they are authentic and this is limited to $100 chips and up because of their higher cost.

Any news??

[redietz]

I haven't heard anything. I suspect most heavy hitters do not want to be tracked in this manner, so I think those casinos that advertise that they do not have RFID chips will have a competitive advantage and attract more players. I find the concept creepy, a Google kind of looking over my shoulder. It corrodes the whole notion of privacy in Las Vegas, and I think many players will be put off by this.

[Alan Mendelson]

Any one who is a heavy hitter will be tracked no matter what they try to do! For the rest of us, having an RFID system at a table game would probably help us get our proper comps.

The biggest problem for table game players is that our "average bet" and actual action is hard to monitor, especially at games like craps and blackjack and roulette where the betting amount can change from hand to hand, or roll to roll, or spin to spin. I consider most craps ratings to be "arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable and wrong" to put it bluntly.

Usually floorman will note your buy in and your first spread on the table -- and if you press it won't be noted.

I would welcome an RFID system to track my bets at craps especially. Without it, I always check out at the end of my session to see how my "average bet" was recorded, and I usually have to argue for a higher rating.

[Rob.Singer]

I've spent years telling players not to be concerned even a little over what comps they get and what comps they think they should get. It doesn't matter. Just play for the money, and if/whatever extras the casino decides to give you, accept it and move onto your next planned time to beat them. Besides, no way they'd utilize RFID to help give out more or more accurate comps. If you're waiting for that to happen, keep both eyes open.

[Alan Mendelson]

Actually, Rob, I think the casinos would use RFID to be sure they don't OVERcomp. On the other hand, the players would want it to be sure they are not UNDERcomped. If anything, I am sure the casinos do not over comp table players now. I have always felt they I got too few tier score points and comps when I played craps.

[Rob.Singer]

RFID has been around this country for a long time, and in others in Europe even longer. If it could be used to do ANYTHING, they'd use it to more efficiently develop their required margins. Nothing is done in the casino industry for the player outside of making it more interesting and comfortable for them to part with as much money as possible. Thinking the casinos would want to make sure players got their due in comps is way out there. And you can be sure that the "too much comps" scenario happens far less than the too little scenario. What you saw at the now long-ago expo was what is seen every year at those things to create attention and chatter. Most of these crazy inventions by loner-type engineers never make it beyond the floor hype.