Abstract: A method for operating a network of video machines including the steps of providing a video machine that is part of the network, inputting and storing a value of credits, determining and verifying if a player is a member of a player club, determining whether the player wants to be a member if the player is not a member, enrolling the player at the video machine if the player is not a member, playing the video machine, adding and debiting credits to the stored value of credits for credits earned or lost during play, encoding the value of any credits remaining and data associated with the player onto the readable/encodable card, and ejecting the readable/encodable card, whereby no interaction with a human being is required by the player to become a member of the player club.