You get a Black Label card when you hit 1000 comp points in a year. It doesn't matter how many points you spend. It's simply a cumulative total earned. I qualified for one a few months ago and there are some nice perks - cheaper prices at some of the restaurants and shops, access to the downstairs louge where they have a bar and lunch/dinner buffet for $10. They still won't give me a comped room on a Fri or Sat night, so I don't know what kind of play is necessary for that.
I believe they do keep notes in their computer. Whenever they swipe my card, I always think they are reading a novel about me, but perhaps it's just counter's paranoia, as I've never been reshuffled or flat bet. I always put on the dumb and superstitious act when the PCs are around.
Re the smoking ban, I believe they are trying to figure out what exactly to do. They have 6 months to produce a final plan and actual construction of a separate, walled-off smoking area that encompasses 25% of the gaming area.