It is very possible that gaming turned the F&L chip down for the reasons stated.
I may have posted this story before, so if I did please suffer it again or click fast.

The Atlantis chip made for the bowling tournament says "HAVE A BALL IN RENO"
The original art work was approved by gaming and the chips were produced.
It said " YOU HAVE TO HAVE BIG BALLS TO BOWL IN RENO"
When the notched version was taken for gaming approval, they said WHOA, no way.
Bud Jones had to scramble to get it changed and to the Atlantis in a few days.

It is possible the F&L chip was produced and stopped at final gaming approval, a couple of days before issue date. It is not possible for the Hard Rock to ever have seen the chips, if this was the case. They would never have been out of the vault at Paulson. I have grave doubts that someone has access to the vault at Paulson. Even one of these chips getting out would cause more trouble than any gaming vendor would care to endure.

I have begged everyone I know for even a notched version of these types of chips. There was a good one at the Stratosphere a few months ago. I haven't even been able to see one, let alone have one.