Card loading system for a data card unit

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, for transferring data cards between a card loading device and a data card unit of a gaming device. The gaming device has a card mouth adapted to receive and dispense data cards. The card loading device includes a housing, a first card holder adapted to hold one or more data cards having a use designation, and a second card holder adapted to hold one or more data cards having a non-use designation. The card loading device can also include a third card holder adapted to hold one or more of the non-use data cards. The card loading device includes a mating member detachable from the housing. The mating member is adapted to engage the card mouth of the gaming device. The mating member has a mouth adapted to dispense data cards to and receive data cards from the card mouth of the gaming device. The card loading device includes a card transport device operatively coupled to transport the data cards having the use designation from the first card holder to the mouth of the mating member, and to transport the data cards having the non-use designation from the mouth of the mating member to the second card holder. The card loading device includes a data interface configured to communicate with a data interface of the gaming device over a wired or wireless connection.