The versatility of RFID technology is highlighted by three recent news items announcing applications in gaming, meal vouchers and possibly airline tickets.

Gaming: Galaxy Resorts will purchase more than 600,000 RFID gaming chips for its new Rio and Grand Waldo casinos scheduled to open in Macau, China early next year. Casinos increasingly are turning toward radio frequency identification technology to protect against patrons trying to cash in counterfeit gaming chips and to stop cheaters at blackjack, poker and other card tables.  Many of the readers are placed in the cages where gaming chips are sold and redeemed by players, but readers can also be built into Roulette tables and tote boxes for gambling chips.

Meal Vouchers: For companies, hospitals, and educational institutions that are looking for more efficient ways to provide free or discounted meals to their employees, students or guests, FreedomPay has unveiled a new contactless Voucher Solution that removes much of the administrative burden of meal voucher programs. The vouchers can be customized for any existing program and eliminate the manual reconciliation processes usually associated with vouchers. They replace paper vouchers with RFID enabled tags that can be programmed for the provider's unique needs. Users simply wave their tag over FreedomPay readers at the cash register to make their purchase.

Airline Tickets: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is considering allowing the use of RFID technology for air travel. A final decision is expected this fall.  The use of read/write RFID would add flexibility, security, and comfort for passengers and airlines.  According to one proposal, instead of a normal airline ticket, the passenger will receive a smart card (contact and contactless) that could include the card owner's fingerprint.  All passenger transactions, from check-in to boarding, would be processed with the smart card or, optionally, a fingerprint.  The card would offer a multiplicity of functions, from easily and quickly obtaining flight information, check in status, directions to the gate or other services.