Hi Lee; I'm glad to see that the Colorado chippers are getting up in arms about this "Lodge thing". What discussions (if any) took place at your Chapter Meeting this past Sunday? The following is a copy of letter dated July 21, 1998 that was sent to the Colorado Gaming Commission from CC&GTCC, which you may add to your file.

Colorado Gaming Commission
1881 Pierce St.
Suite 112
Lakewood, CO 80214

To all Gaming Commmission Members:

On behalf of our 2500+ membership, I wish to vigorously file our strongest objections to the recent outrageous surcharge placed on Grand Opening chips that have been issued by The Lodge Casino in Blackhawk, Colorado.

As you are aware, The Lodge has issued a set of three chips which have a combined face value of $31 dollars; have packaged them into fancy holders and is (over)charging collectors from around the country $100 for the privilege of purchasing these sets to keep their Colorado chip collections "up to date". It is this type of scandalous behaviour on the part of some Colorado casino proprietors, that if left unchecked, will undermine the fine relationship that collectors and casinos have developed and entered into over these past several years.

Collectors will work hand in hand with casinos that issue truly legitimate limited edition chip releases from time to time which commemorate events, people, and places that have a valid connection with the property that issues such chips. Our club members go to great lengths to promote these chip issues by spreading the word around the country.... and the world. A Grand Opening is a legitimate event that would warrant the issuance of a series of chips to commemorate such an occassion. However, the three chip series that The Lodge has issued, and others like it which are likely to follow if not challenged, will result in a loss of credibility to those properties which are gouging our members and non-members alike. The same loss of credibility, in my opinion, reflects upon the Colorado Gaming Commission if these abuses are allowed to continue in the future. I call upon the Colorado Gaming Commission to enact strong regulations that would prohibit this type of abuse from occurring in the future. Collectors do not mind paying face value for chips that cost less than a dollar each to manufacture and deliver. Casino should be well pleased to know that there are collectors who are willing to pay the customary mark ups in order to maintain their collections they have built since legalized gaming came to Colorado. Collectors should not be forced to pay over a 4000% markup, such as is the case with respect to The Lodge's Grand Opening set.

Anything that the Colorado Gaming Commission can do to stop this abuse from happening in the future.... which will only spread to other gaming jurisdictions around the country if encouraged to continue, would be most appreciated.

"OUR FINE HOBBY IS AT STAKE"

Sincerely,

Archie A. Black
President CC&GTCC