both Main Event and Dave and Busters have unlimited play cards that are popular? (you can't play the ticket games with the cards though) What big arcades are there still other than places like those?

Maybe this is a regional thing. In the U.K. have a few arcades like you describe but the vast majority of arcades are side businesses and populated with gambling machines. You see them in places like bowling alleys, sea side amusements, larger family camp sites, etc. Most of those places might throw in an air hockey and pool table or two but aside from that it’s just ticket machines.

Yeah, even in American bowling alleys seem to have "play as much as you want for an hour!" cards. At least the last one i went to did for its arcade.

Bowling alleys make their money off the alcohol and overpriced appetizers in any case. The other stuff is just to get you inside the door.