I kept a few chips from my first visit to Atlantic City in the early 90s.
After a few trips I had a chip from all 13 casnios.

I made several trips to Las Vegas in the late 90s and kept chips from casinos I visited.
In 2006 I started to goto LV once a year, that's when I started going to casinos specifically to get chips.

I have chips from casinos I've never visited but my most prized chips are the ones I get myself.
It's a reminder of past trips, sort of like photos.

I've been lucky enough to visit casinos in AC, LV, Connecticut, Florida, Aruba, Canada & on cruise ships.
I collect $1 chips from the casinos that I visit (~80 to date) + a handful of other chips I like.
I just joined the club last summer & have collected 25 personal chips from other members.
I have about 350 chips total, 6 poker sets & I've collect coins/bank notes since I was a kid.