We were there for 10 nights from June 23 - July 3rd. We visited the pool almost every day, say 8 out of the 11 days. There was 2 of those days that they did not give wristbands to people.. I don't know why.. I didn't ask.
As for do they check? Yes.. they do. A boy was swimming with my daughter, they were going up and down the slide.. and the lifeguard on the top of the slide told the boy he wouldn't be allowed down again unless he went to get a wristband. His mother was busy gabbing... she said in a minute. So the kids went to swim and were going around in the small whirlpool thing while they waited... the lifeguard there nicely told the boy to exit the pool until he had a wristband on, which eventually, mom did go over and get him.
Maybe they didn't say anything to you because you weren't in the water?
When you come from Beaches & Cream there is usually a lifeguard right there to give them out, or stop someone from coming in. Then there's one entrance by the boardwalk walkway too. They are the only 2 entrances to the pool unless you hop the bushes.