The hobby has several guides...some specific to certain geographical areas such as Nevada (The Chip Rack or TCR), California (which has both an on-line & written catalogue), northwest, etc... There is a publication called "The Gaming Table" that is published by the same folks as The Chip Rack that provides casino info. "The Official US Casino Chip Price Guide covers all over the US & has some great pictures of chips (it doesn't really cover "Limited Edition" chips, though).

As far as illegals...I don't know. Gene Trimble would be the one to ask on that as he seems to have the answers for most illegals questions raised.

Steve B