Jim

Good point - I may ask them the question about encryption to see what they say.

In my view this is a retrograde step that actually costs them business - although there are benefits in the loyalty scheme, in many Gentings casinos (including Southend, my local casino), you can ONLY play slots if you insert a card, as all winnings are paid into the card that you then have to take to the cash desk at which point they pay your cash. It's a bit like TITO in that respect, but it means if you are passing a machine and do not have a card, then you cannot play the slots - or at least you can't take out any winnings! They will issue you a 'cash' card which is a generic card not in your name which you can use (and I have one of these for trade if anyone is interested - exactly the same card, but with CASH written on the signature strip and of course no individual's personal data on the chip!), but you still have to leave the machine and go to the reception to get one. When I tried to play £20 last night while waiting for my wife, the reader wouldn't accept my card. Result was, as I was not desperate to play the slots, I just didn't play. Many people I talk to say the same, so I wonder if Gentings will go back to cash or TITO at some point?

Incidently, I wonder if you hold a strong magnet or some other electrical device over the chip, is it possible to destroy the data held?

Jason