The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that Las Vegas has found a new use for radio frequency identification (RFID) technology – it is imbedding the RFID chips in plastic gambling chips, believing that it will allow them to know more about how high rollers bet.
The WSJ writes, “Computer chips embedded in the plastic gambling chips communicate via radio frequency with sensors placed under the felt table. The technology gives the casino's operators a trove of knowledge -- everything from a player's average bet to where each high-denomination chip is at all times.”
And, according to the paper, “in addition to being able to track more players closely, the high-tech chips offer protection against both chip theft and counterfeiting…In the past, casinos have relied on pit bosses and dealers to continually estimate how much gamblers were wagering, which in turn enabled the casinos to figure out about how much a customer spent overall, and what level of discounts and freebies he or she was entitled to. With RFID, the chips are automatically scanned at each bettor's position, and the data are displayed in real time on a personal computer behind the table visible to the dealer and pit bosses -- thus eliminating the human guesswork.”
The WSJ writes, “Computer chips embedded in the plastic gambling chips communicate via radio frequency with sensors placed under the felt table. The technology gives the casino's operators a trove of knowledge -- everything from a player's average bet to where each high-denomination chip is at all times.”
And, according to the paper, “in addition to being able to track more players closely, the high-tech chips offer protection against both chip theft and counterfeiting…In the past, casinos have relied on pit bosses and dealers to continually estimate how much gamblers were wagering, which in turn enabled the casinos to figure out about how much a customer spent overall, and what level of discounts and freebies he or she was entitled to. With RFID, the chips are automatically scanned at each bettor's position, and the data are displayed in real time on a personal computer behind the table visible to the dealer and pit bosses -- thus eliminating the human guesswork.”
- KC's View:
- It may be gambling for the consumer…but for the house, it sounds increasingly like a sure thing.
