Cashless Gaming Evolution
From TITO to Smart Cards
Gaming
Cashless gaming is evolving as the market and regulatory
organizations become more familiar with alternative approaches
to transacting money. What began with coins and paper money,
led to TITO (Ticket-in Ticket-out) and barcoded vouchers.
While this is the most commonly used cashless technology
today, markets are now adopting alternatives. More and more
casinos are looking toward smarter solutions that offer greater
returns and lower costs. Smart card use for cashless gaming
is a growing trend that is being implemented in many parts
of the world. This state-of-the-art technology, initially used in
Secure ID and Telecom markets, offers higher security, greater
functionality and higher returns to the gaming industry.
The move to TITO technology was an important advancement
in the evolution of cashless gaming, streamlining the process of
monitoring and issuing players’ winnings. In addition to further
streamlining this process, smart cards have revolutionized the
way money and information is stored and used.
TITO Disadvantages
• Single functionality without any interaction with player tracking or marketing programs
• Consumables (Paper, Printheads) need constant replenishment and maintenance
• Casinos realize little or no float and breakage; tickets are redeemed and balances cleared
• Tickets are easily lost
• Tickets are insecure; Anyone who finds one can access the value
• Labor costs associated with ticket dispenser maintenance
The Smart Card Advantage
Smart cards are rapidly replacing TITO systems globally and are being adopted in the
gaming industry for more than just cashless gaming. Many of the top slot and game
manufacturers have integrated solutions to implement as the regulatory environment in
each market changes.
These solution sets are led by companies like International Games Technology (IGT),
Spielo, GameSmart, Betstone, and other industry leaders. Many third party OEM add-on
equipment manufacturers and casino operators have also employed smartcard technology
for Player Club cards as well. With smart cards, the cards leave with the customer versus
a ticket that gets thrown away after cash-out. The advantages of implementing CardLogix
smart card technology include:
• Increased revenue from float on unspent balances
• Income from breakage on balances never redeemed
• Multi-functionality: Smart cards can incorporate cashless play, room access,
promotions, and identity verification for online play
• High level of smart card and software security enables authentication on multiple
networks and value stored in the card
• Branding with permanence and durability: Players keep the card as an essential part of their casino visit • Operational cost reduction
Many governments are looking at smart card-based systems for reducing problem gaming, by having the card carrying selfexclusions or limits on wagers. Worldwide, many jurisdictions have either put in place or are considering card-based methods as
regulatory compliance continues to evolve.
7200080A
16 Hughes, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618 USA
Phone +1 949 380 1312 · Fax +1 949 380 1428 · www.cardlogix.com · [email protected]
Smart Cards vs. TITO for Cashless Gaming & Player Tracking — Review Your Total Cost of Ownership
CardLogix Smart Cards
TITO (Ticket-In, Ticket-Out)
Cost of Licenses / Royalty Fees
License/royalty fees do
not apply to smart card
technology
$0
IGT and/or Bally’s License
cost per machine for use of
TITO technology
$1,200.00 - $3,000.00
Cost of Slot Machine Software and Hardware
In-Machine Hardware
$1,350.00
Complete Player Tracking Unit
(Includes smart card reader,
key pad, display, CPU, power
supply, and loom)
In-Machine Hardware
(Includes barcode, printer, bill
validator, keypad, blanking
plates, mounting bracket, and
harness)
Software
(Includes core module,
casino administration, slot
accounting, cashless, loyalty
and player rewards, treasury,
surveillance interface, count
room interface, progressive
jackpots, and mystery
module)
$600.00
Software
$325.00
EZ Pay™ license fee (This is
a cash replacement solution
for the floor and runs “on-top”
of a separately purchased
monitoring / accounting
system)
Installation
$100.00
Installation
$408.00
Total Cost per Machine
$2,050.00
Total Cost per Machine
$2,342.00
$1,609.00
Cash Desk Software and Hardware Costs
Smart Card Reader
$100.00
TITO Ticket Reader
$160.00
Average number of readers
required per cash desk (1
reader required per drawer)
4
Average number of readers
required per cash desk (1
reader required per drawer)
4
Slip Printer
$490.00
No Slip Printer Required
$0
Cost of Cash Desk Software
(Already included in Software
Package above)
$0.00
Cost of Cash Desk Software
Including VRT Kiosk Interface
License
$3,840.00
Total per Cash Desk
$890.00
Total per Cash Desk
$4,480.00
Consumable Costs
Cost per 1,000 Transactions
$0.0022
Cost per 1,000 Transactions
$7.53
Smart Card Cost
$1.10
TITO Ticket Cost
$0.01
Smart Card Number of Writes
500,000
TITO Number of Writes
1
Cost per Smart Card Write
$0.0000022
Cost per TITO Ticket Write
$0.01
Daily Operating Costs
Support, maintenance, and
upgrades
$0.53
Support, maintenance, and
upgrades
$38.00
• TITO systems are substantially more expensive than CardLogix smart card-based solutions.
• The dollar amounts above were estimated using average costs in the marketplace.
• Your system costs may vary based on volume, service agreements, and revenue share programs