I had never personally paid for my CCA membership. For the last few years, someone had essentially sponsored me so I could be a member. For the last year or two, I have not been a member, and honestly, I have not really minded it.

The main reason I used ChipGuide was the casino search, especially when I was working at my last job and dealing with customers all the time. I would use it to help find information about chips for them. Since I left that job, I really have not used ChipGuide much at all. Maybe once a month, if that. I've found other ways to get the information I need for my research and just curiosity.

I also have to be honest and say that I did not really find much other value in being part of the CCA, as sad as that sounds.

Now that information and certain features are going to be behind a paywall or membership requirement, I am trying to understand why. If you need to be a CCA member to use Casino Search, or to track your collection through ChipGuide, why is that?

I understand that maintaining ChipGuide takes time, money, and effort. I also understand that the CCA needs members. But I always viewed ChipGuide as a free source of information that anyone could use. Putting the most useful features behind a membership seems like it defeats the purpose of what made ChipGuide so valuable.

I am not trying to attack the CCA or the people who maintain ChipGuide. I am just trying to understand why this information and access are now being gatekept. I had always recommended ChipGuide as a free resource for collectors.