Not sure where the Garden Club ID originated. Collectors of long ago, evidently. I think all that is known for sure is that they went to a Chicago distributor in 1927. I'm relatively certain there was no gambling operation in Chicago going by that name in 1927.

If there's any basis for the "Garden Club" ID then I would suggest the Lake Forest Garden Club, in Lake Forest,IL as the most likey place. It really was a garden club, not a gambling place, and I suspect the chips may have been used to make fancy prize ribbons for their annual judged flower show. The gate in the picture may be from the grounds of the old McCormick mansion where the annual event was held.

I know this probably sounds like a wacky theory, but if anyone has ever seen crest & seal chips used that way before I'd appreciate hearing about it.