Bruce,

These have been around for years. Not just this casino but many others.

For a time, you could buy these by the box in the Paulson store for around 35c each.

I've removed the hotstamps from many of them, at least to the stage 2 shown in this guys pictures. No big deal, a Q-Tip and some fingernail polish remover.

The real chips look much different and anyone who tried to cash them was taking a HUGE chance. NOT a good idea.

To get to stage 3 they have to buff out the melted part of the plastic inlay. When done correctly it is very hard to see with the naked eye. But, with a magnifying glass it is easy to see where they also had to buff out the texture that was an original part of the inlay.

The main reason people remove the cancel is so they can see the chip without it.

Greg