... if the club wants to do something about this perceived problem, the Code of Ethics will have to be changed.

I have also said before that I support a requirement that any "non-genuine" item must be marked on its face (as is required by the HPA).

In a post on May 29th, after discussing my position on the repair or restoration of various items (e.g., antiques), I said:

>> Please keep in mind that this does not mean I think it is okay to repair
>> or restore a chip in any way and then sell it without full disclosure of
>> the repair or restoration. And yes, I recognize that there is always a
>> chance that someone will effect such repairs or restoration and that
>> somewhere down the road it might be sold without full disclosure.
>> Such a possibility, in an of itself, does not logically compel a blanket
>> prohibition of repairs and restoration.

I also do not think it would be appropriate to require that a repaired or restored item be marked on its face.

On a practical note, if the slot card trading/purchasing process is as you have described, how would any rule against removing names from slot cards be enforced? It sounds like no one would ever be able to identify anyone else who has made such alterations. To be effective, a ruling body such as our board should not make rules which cannot be enforced. Doing so has the effect of engendering disrespect for and disregard of all rules.

Unfortunately, the only truly effective way to "solve" this problem is for everyone in the club to act ethically. Won't happen, I know, my friend, and I don't think there is any way to insure that it does.

One more thing, regarding the slot cards which have had the names removed -- is it possible to tell upon close examination that this has been done? If so, then closer inspection at the time of purchase or trade would seem to be appropriate. If it is absolutely not possible to tell that something has been removed from the card, I can't help wondering what difference it makes.

If the only reason that it matters is the "original state of preservation" argument from the coin industry, I am frankly not interested as I never thought much of that argument.

Everything that ever happens to a chip (slot care, coin or any other item), from the moment it is produced, changes its "original state of preservation". Attempting to freeze the "condition" at some particular (and generally arbitrary) point in time (i.e., for us, the moment the chip or card leaves the casino) seems to me an exercise in fastidiousness* (and futility).

* Per Merriam-Webster: "Fastidious" = "having high and often capricious standards; difficult to please; or showing or demanding excessive delicacy or care".

----- jim o\-S