Gene -- Perhaps you will recall (or perhaps not <g>) my earlier post in which I mentioned that I had reviewed in some depth the U.S. Code and could find nothing which bears in any way on the subject of the legality of casino chips (I did not review and have no familiarity with the Code of Federal Regulations which might or might not have anything to do with this subject). [For non-lawyers, the US Code is the body of federal statutes passed by Congress; the Code of Federal Regulations is a compilation of regulatory rules adopted by government agencies to implement federal laws.]

Federal law does (and has since 1864) prohibited private coinage (though this restriction apparently does not prohibit or prevent the use of such coin substitutes as bus/train/subway and other tokens which look just like coins!). I assume that the difference is that the tokens have a limited use (i.e., can only be used for the specified purpose, rather than as general coinage).

It is my understanding (though I could not specifically find this in the US Code, either), that federal law does not prohibit the issuance of private paper money as long as there are no factional notes ($1 or more is OK). Example: the city of Ithaca NY has issued paper currency in various denominations which is readily accepted by businesses in and around that city. And, of course, many stores and business issue "gift certificates" which are in fact limited use currency (good example, "Mickey Money" issued at Disneyland and other Disney sites and stores and useable in any Disney amusement park, shop or store).

I am of the opinion that, regardless of the signs posted in various Nevada casinos, it is at best questionable whether federal law really prohibits the use of casino chips for other than the intended purpose. Unless & until I see a specific federal law or regulation bearing on the subject, I will not be convinced that it is a violation of federal law to use chips in gift shops, other casinos or even other non-casino businesses. (Tokens may be a different subject, since they might be considered "coinage".)

I have carefully read the Nevada chip regs which you sent me. I see nothing in them which would make such "extra-casino" use of chips unlawful under Nevada law. And, though I have posted several messages asking anyone who has specific information (i.e., a legal citation) on any law which does make use of chips outside the casino illegal, I have had no definitive response from anyone.

Don't any of the casino executives who post these notices (or the casino lawyers who presumably told the executives to do so) know what federal law is involved??

----- jim o\-S