How Are Casino Chips Made?
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Weintraub is one of the unsung heroes of Las Vegas. He organised VIP trips to Sin City for the rich and famous in the early 1960s. The casino chip is a 39mm wide, 8 – 16 gm circular disc of genius. Traditionally made of clay, they are now constructed with a cocktail of ingredients, including sand, chalk and the type of Clay often found in cat litter. High-value chips often contain an RFID tracker to prevent theft.
Gambling has been a human activity since records began. Board games date back to the Neolithic era and about 6,000 BC. In Ancient Egypt, dice and many other board games have been discovered, as well as papyri, dating back as far as 4,00 BC, with laws banning gambling in the region. Five hundred years before the birth of Christ, betting was illegal in ancient Rome. The use of tokens, enabling players to deny they were gambling, is documented.
The modern chip was developed in the 1800s. Casinos had to weigh and assay gold. The early examples were made of bone, ivory, and clay. To prevent counterfeits, casinos would brand and design their own chips.
Casino chips are made of clay and compression moulded. The exact process for making them is not shared with the public. Biggest manufacturers are Gaming Partners International, Matsui, GTI Gaming, and Abbiati.
The highest value casino chip you will find is for $1,000. High-end casinos offer $5, but you won't see these chips in your friendly neighbourhood casino.
The most expensive casino chip in the world is worth around $450,000. The record for the largest collection of casino chips is 2,222 and is held by Vegas resident Mr Gregg Fisher. In 2014 a rare $5 casinochip from the Golden Goose Casino sold for $75,00 at the Casino Chip & Gaming Tokens Collectors Club convention in Las Vegas. Casino chips must be destroyed legally when a new line is introduced.
Chips are tactile and a great way to stay in control of your betting. Modern chips are embedded with tiny RFID chips which have their own unique identification code. More people are choosing to play at online casinos where the chips is virtual.
