I have stated that some , but not all, fantasy chips are a blight to our hobby. I believe that we, as a Club, with “education” as our principal purpose of being, should be doing what we can, where we and when we can to combat that blight. I am not suggesting that this be our Number 1 priority, but that it be ever present in our mindset in the conduct of Club activities. Perhaps this is no different than the idea of being ever vigilant to ward off the encroachment of slabbing.

Given the conditions of the market place, I am certain that we cannot eradicate the manufacture of these “certain” fantasy chips. But, it is heartening to know that in several instances, some manufacturers have refused to produce some items in the past. And I think we should be continually mindful of who does produce such items and who does not and when it comes time to have personal chips made, or for those in the industry and in a position to make decisions as to who to give business to, we ought to patronize the good-guys over the bad-guys.

I believe that the Club should establish a definitive categorization of what the Fakes, Fantasy and Counterfeits web-page is about. I suspect that this will include a sub-categorization of fantasy chips into a copy-cat, or replica, or some similarly defined term to represent chips that make up the substance of the blight that I am referring to. Once defined/categorized, we can then publicize or otherwise represent to the World at-large, that we, as the subject matter experts in this field, have a negative view on the production of such items. Furthermore, we respectfully request that non- Club affiliated entities not produce such items and that Club-affiliated entities be prohibited from producing such items.

Based upon affecting a formal declaration of the Fakes, Fantasy and Counterfeits definitions, we should then re-organize the Fakes, Fantasy and Counterfeits web-pages accordingly, and also establish criteria for inclusion of new material and render an “official” establishment of the pages, just as we have officially established and promulgated the Official Grade and Condition Guide for Chips and Tokens.

Bearing in mind that the establishment of an Official categorization of Fakes, Fantasy and Counterfeits will also include the to-be-named sub-category of fantasy chips that I am calling “a blight upon the hobby”, once identified, that category should be added to the Club’s item 6 of the Code of Ethics. (Item 6 currently states: "Not to sell, exhibit, produce nor advertise counterfeits, copies, reproductions or restrikes of any item unless their nature is clearly indicated as such.")

Additional actions would be to insert these “Official” descriptions into the eBay Guides and also attempt to enter into agreements/arrangements with eBay for recognition of, and honoring of the Club’s definitions for listings. Perhaps even work with eBay to better define their casino collectibles categories.

Just as the Club's Officers have defined a Policy regarding Slabbing, I believe we should also define a Policy on certain fantasy chips.

Thanks Fred, and glad to have you here!

Jim Follis
Candidate for Secretary

But to specifically answer Fred’s question, it is my opinion that your suggestion of offering the chips with full disclosure is about all I am asking for the Club to adopt.