I think that promoters of tournaments, especially those who finance the operation, are allowed two -- I can't remember what they're called -- "scratch" cards.
The UPA, as an example, once proclaimed that only paid-up members would be allowed to compete in their tournaments.
I was informed that my boyfriend, an American professional player, could not compete in a NYC World Summit event because he was not a paid-up member of the UPA, even though we had made hotel reservations well in advance.  It really pissed me off, to say the least.
A couple weeks later, Earl Strickland's name was on the roster for that event, even though at that time he was not a paid-up UPA member, due to some politics between him and Charlie Williams.
I was then enlightened that promoters, producers, and sponsors of major tournaments are allowed to invite "scratch cards."  Earl was invited under these terms to the UPA-sanctioned event, even though he was not a UPA member.
I'm sure that's not the correct term, "scratch card."  Does anybody know what I am referring to? 
 
JAM