An activity management system for coin-operated systems including but not limited to video arcade games and slot machines utilizes an automated redemption system comprising a client transponder card with a memory unit, an activity station, a management station, and an attendant transponder with a memory unit. The client transponder card stores event criteria such as a debit/credit indicator, a content rating and a time stamp. The attendant transponder has a passkey and a debit/credit indicator. The activity station has an inductive transmission system and programs for evaluating the client transponder's event criteria and for interacting with the attendant transponder's passkey and debit/credit indicator. The management station has a computer with a database and an inductive transmission system for reading and writing data to client transponder cards. The management station has a wireless data connection with the activity stations and periodically queries the activity stations for data.