"Stealing" IS a bit of a harsh term in "Mr. P's" post, John. I thought the term was "buy-in". Why is it that the casino doesn't want you to take the roulettes?
Number one; is they are not good for wagers on any other roulette table than the one they were purchased from. (Note; "purchased"....not "steal")

Number two; they don't want them to leave the table because players can't redeem them at the cage as they have "NO VALUE".

Number three; the casino does not want roulette chips to leave the table because of the potential for FRAUD; not because some collector is going to add it to his/her collection. That is; chips purchased for $1 (we have no .50 cent games in A.C.) can theoretically be re-introduced into a game a day/week/month/ later at at higher "buy-in", say at $5 per chip. If one is assigned the same color at the same table as the roulette chip was "purchased" earlier at $1 each, there would be hell to pay if discovered trying to put it into play at a $5 per chip game. Collectors aren't the concern of casinos. It's the fraudulent PLAYER. I've had several pit bosses in Vegas & AC tell me they don't care about roulette chips "walking" by a player as long as they don't get re-introduced into the game at a higher value.

Number four; Why do you suppose casinos are now sprucing up their roulette chips and making them more attractive? Because players take them home for souvenirs, or for their collections... much like ash trays I guess!!!! I know of one casino in A.C. that has ordered a whole new rack of CHIPCO roulettes becase it increases play at the tables when collectors have to "buy-in" (purchase them Jim). Collectors have all their current CHIPCO roulettes that are currently in play.... so they've ordered all new CHIPCO designs for us to "purchase". It's easy for casinos to discourage roulette walking. Just use generic roulettes or ugly hot stamps with a letter or number on them. Casinos ain't dumb. They know they if can get folks to play the game, who might not ordinarily play the game, the potential for the house winning the bets is worth the relatively few chips they lose.

I know that some folks on this BB will not agree with what is posted above... and I don't intend to get into a p-----ing contest with them over this subject matter. I've got my opinions, they have theirs. My advice is; Collect what you enjoy. Don't let others tell you what not to collect. I've said my piece. My concience is clear.