Card-handling devices with defect detection and related methods

A method of assembling a card-handling device, comprising:

• positioning a defect detection system in a card path between an input area and an output area, the defect detection system configured to scan at least one card to determine whether at least one characteristic of the at least one card has been modified beyond a predetermined limit or whether the at least one characteristic of the at least one card is within the predetermined limit;
• and
• positioning a diverter in the card path downstream from the defect detection system, the diverter configured to:
• divert the at least one card from the card path when the at least one characteristic of the at least one card has been modified beyond the predetermined limit;
• and
• enable the at least one card to continue on the card path when the at least one characteristic of the at least one card is within the predetermined limit.

A method of using a card-handling device, comprising:

• placing cards in an input area of the card-handling device;
• moving cards from the input area along a card path toward an output area;
• detecting a defective card utilizing a defect detection system interposed between the input area and the output area by scanning the card to determine whether at least one characteristic of the card has been modified beyond a predetermined limit;
• and
• diverting the card from the card path utilizing a diverter when the at least one characteristic of the card has been modified beyond the predetermined limit.