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The playing card industry experienced a transformative shift in 1935 when Austrian inventor Siegfried Klausner partnered with bridge promoter Ely Culbertson to launch KEM Playing Cards—the world’s first 100% plastic playing cards. Made from cellulose acetate and selling for $2.50 per pack (equivalent to $42.50 today), these revolutionary cards offered unprecedented durability, washability, and longevity.

World War II proved to be the catalyst for widespread adoption, as troops discovered plastic cards could withstand jungle humidity, desert sand, and constant handling where paper cards would fail. This military validation established plastic cards’ reputation for reliability under extreme conditions.

The casino industry embraced plastic cards for their security advantages, economic benefits, and operational efficiency. Today’s World Series of Poker relies exclusively on premium plastic cards from manufacturers like COPAG, KEM, and Modiano, cementing their status as the professional standard.

From Klausner’s cellulose acetate breakthrough to modern PVC innovations featuring RFID integration, 100% plastic playing cards represent nearly a century of technological advancement that fundamentally changed gaming worldwide.

Read the full story of how plastic cards revolutionized everything from home poker games to professional casinos

The Casino Connection: Aristocrat's Professional Gaming Legacy

When you think of high-stakes poker in Las Vegas, there's a good chance Aristocrat playing cards were part of the action. While most people know Aristocrat for their elegant bank note designs, the brand's true claim to fame lies in the professional gaming world, where these premium cards became the gold standard for serious play.

From the MGM Grand's legendary tables to Caesars Palace's custom Roman Empire editions, Aristocrat casino cards weren't just tools of the trade—they became historical artifacts that capture the glamour and sophistication of gaming's golden age.

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