Casino Chips As Currency FTS – Money 100 by: Tony Forster

Outline History of casino chips History of casino chips What and how chips are made What and how chips are made Why use them? Why use them? The many uses The many uses

History of Gambling Chips 1930’s  The earliest information about gambling chips I could find dates back to the 1930’s.  The Portland billiard ball company started mass producing them along with the billiard balls (Plastic stamped chips.)  Chips were very simple, just made out of plastic with a technique equal to stamping.

History (cont.) 1940’s In 1947 the Portland Billiard Company purchased a rival company and became the largest producer of casino chips in America as more and more casinos are starting up around the nation. In 1947 the Portland Billiard Company purchased a rival company and became the largest producer of casino chips in America as more and more casinos are starting up around the nation. During this time period was when colored edge spotting and custom design molds were introduced to chip production. During this time period was when colored edge spotting and custom design molds were introduced to chip production. (New Clay chips with designs and side spotting.)

History (cont.) 1950’s-1960’s Introductions of new symbols and designs on the chips to customize them even more for each casino. Introductions of new symbols and designs on the chips to customize them even more for each casino. In 1955 the introduction of multicolored side spots. In 1955 the introduction of multicolored side spots. (Great picture of the chip designs and the side spots that were introduced in this time period.)

History ( cont.) 1970’s 1975 a new chip design introduced a new chip design introduced. *injection molded, compared to compression molded like before. *Offers some a number of new advantages.

History ( cont.) 1980’s-1990’s In 1985, another new chip was invented that sparked a wave a chip collecting around the country. In 1985, another new chip was invented that sparked a wave a chip collecting around the country. Looks were more appealing Looks were more appealing Much more effort put into the design. Much more effort put into the design. Had materials built in to stop counterfeiting. Had materials built in to stop counterfeiting. The ‘Chipco Pro Tech Chip’

How chips are made Chips today are made of clay, plastics, complex resins and even metals. Chips today are made of clay, plastics, complex resins and even metals. Two types of methods by which they are produced are compression and injection. We mostly use the injection method today. Two types of methods by which they are produced are compression and injection. We mostly use the injection method today. Each casino will have different kinds of chips. The texture and chip style depend on the producer. Each casino will have different kinds of chips. The texture and chip style depend on the producer. Printing on the chips, texture, weight and side markings are all in part to help stop counterfeiting of the chips. Printing on the chips, texture, weight and side markings are all in part to help stop counterfeiting of the chips. Fun Fact: A chip costs anywhere from $.50 to $.85 cents to produce and in turn is given the value of $1, $5, $10, etc. by the casino. Inside the casino it is just an agreed value and the system works because of that agreement. Fun Fact: A chip costs anywhere from $.50 to $.85 cents to produce and in turn is given the value of $1, $5, $10, etc. by the casino. Inside the casino it is just an agreed value and the system works because of that agreement.

Why Use Chips? Why not just Currency? 3. Casinos like the idea because it is easier to spend a chip at a blackjack table then spend actual paper money. Anyone who has gambled and lost can understand this. 4. Speeds up the game and makes for more card playing because there is less time being wasted making change. 1. Chips are easier to handle and bet with while playing cards. 2. Chips make it easier to see exactly how much the players bet and how much they should get back. Easier to make change in chips than to make change in currency. Main Reason: “Makes Life in a Casino Easier”

The Uses of Casino Chips There are more uses for chips than most people would think…. Obviously, Betting on Cards is number 1. Obviously, Betting on Cards is number 1. Tipping a dealer. Tipping a dealer. Getting a massage. Getting a massage. Buying food/refreshments. Buying food/refreshments. Collecting. Collecting. Buying things at Gift and Souvenir Shops inside the casino. Hotel and service bill if the hotel is associated with the casino. Trade for U.S. dollars. Etc…

Invisible Marking Invisible tags are added to the chips by the casinos for many reasons… Invisible tags are added to the chips by the casinos for many reasons… * Routinely, casinos mark their chips with invisible ink that only under UV light will it be seen. * Tags are put on chips so that casinos can monitor how much a person is betting, how much they are losing, and most importantly, how much they are winning. * These tags are nothing but little microchips that modify a radio signal sent by the reader. Also if the signal is not sent back, the casino knows the chips are fake.

1930’s 1940’s1950’s 1960’s – 1970’s 1980’s – 1990’s 1990’s ’s

Questions…?