Walter, I can not answer your question.
I do know of cases where the casino would not let you buy LE's them at the cage. You had to get them on the tables. Of course that is not the norm.

I don't think it matters much. They are a chip whether you get them at the cage on on the tables. Either you like LE's and you collect them or you don't like LE's and don't collect them.

When peolpe state they are not chips, does not make sense. They can be played on the tables and they can be cashed.