In recent years, the casinos have come up with a new way to keep track of gamblers' action and to rate the players without the necessity of someone in a pit watching their action. By issuing membership cards which are inserted in electronic games before the player starts gambling, casinos can keep track of slot, video poker, or any other kind of electronic game play. In some casinos the cards are also used for identification purposes at the table games.

Casinos are happy to issue membership cards. All you have to do is fill out a simple application. No bank references are required, no credit forms are needed; they are available to one and all. Basically, the following information is asked for: Name, Spouse's name, Mailing address, Phone number, Birthday and voila!, you’re in business. You are issued a card. The casino doesn't really care what credit you have, because they're not giving you credit. All this card does is following your action at the slots or whatever other electronic games you play. You just slip it into the slot and start feeding the machine with coins. The card automatically monitors your action.

What's the purpose of these cards? Why have your action electronically followed? Well, for one thing, you get credits every time you play, and with these credits come complimentary awards. The more credits you have, the more awards you're entitled to. And getting a card is simple, and doesn't cost you anything. If you're at a casino and want to play the slots or video poker for a while, by all means get a membership card. In this age of computers, all your action is automatically credited to your account. When you go back to get you comps, they'll ask you for identification before giving you the awards. They do this because players sometimes leaves their cards in the machines when they quit play, or their lose cards in other ways. Providing identification ensures that no one else can take advantage of your action.

Credits and awards vary from casino to casino, but practically every casino, especially in Las Vegas, now issues membership cards. As awards, a player may receive simple things like key chains, money clips, or gold charms at smaller casinos. With enough credits, the bigger casinos may reduce the rate of your room or give you free meals in its restaurants.

Some casinos issue certificates that you can redeem for ready cash, or for discounts on goods purchased at the hotel’s shops. In addition, once you become a member of particular club, you may be invited to special events such as private parties or slot tournaments. You become someone special to the casino; not just a tourist walking through. Therefore it pays to become a member when you're staying at a hotel-casino. You've nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you walk to adjacent hotels, join their clubs as well. If you play the electronic games, take advantage of the credits you earn.