Abstract: A system for counting and identifying a plurality of gaming chips having a programmable RFID device embedded therein. The programmable RFID device having unique authentication data disposed therein. The system includes a tray structure defining a plurality of predetermined chip positions within a multi-dimensional grid. The tray structure is configured to carry the plurality of gaming chips such that each of the plurality of gaming chips are substantially disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of predetermined chip positions within the multi-dimensional grid. An optical sensing assembly is configured to optically scan each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions to detect the presence of a gaming chip in each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions if present therein and generate a count corresponding to a number of detected gaming chips.