I've been countering posts and emails about these chips being posted as CA, OR, WA, and Bozeman, MT for 10 years, enough is enough, let's see what we can find. One little email solved the problem.

Hi my friend,

I am tired of telling people the Dude Lounge chips are not from Bozeman, MT. Let's see what we can find. I have had 3 colors $1, $5, and $25 since 2003 as unknown chips.

The chips were made after 1964 at Langworthy in Las Vegas.

Reply from our friend.

I don’t see one in Bozeman but there was a Dude Lounge in West Yellowstone, Montana which is about 90 miles south of Bozeman.

Not sure if this is the place where the chips were used, but maybe...

Joseph Dale Strozzi and family opened the Dude in July 1974.The Strozzi’s had lived the previous 16 years in Bozeman. The place appears to have operated into the late 1980’s, early 1990’s when the name was changed to Strozzi’s Bar which was owned by Joseph’s son Jack (who was also involved with the Dude Lounge). The Dude Lounge appears on a list of places to gamble in West Yellowstone; no date on list. It was located at 14 Madison Avenue, next to the Dude Motel, which still exists.

Joseph Strozzi’s 65 year old daughter Darcy lives in Belgrade, Montana (a few mile outside of Bozeman):
64 year old son Jack appears to still be living in West Yellowstone but phone is unlisted.

I talked to Darcy. Very nice lady. She confirmed the chips. She also said her brother Jack was coming to Las Vegas in a few days. We met Friday Oct 18 at the Sun Coast for lunch. He bought the Dude Lounge chips in 1976. When he bought out the rest of the family in the 1990's he bought more chips from Langworthy with Strozzi's Lounge on them. They were sold at the same time he sold Strozzi's. He does not have any. Today the place is called Madison Crossing Lounge and only has machines as far as gambling goes.

July 3rd 1974:

1974 ads:

Sign in the ad above is the one used by the Dude Motel; not sure if the Lounge was originally part of the motel complex or was located next door; postcard from 1970’s:

current street view:

The opening date in 1974 makes the chips being used in a licensed MT club. They are "NOT" illegal chips.

Montana Gambling
Pre-1937 it was all technically illegal (though rarely enforced).
1937-1950, gaming was okay as long as it was licensed locally.
1950-72, it was illegal.
1973, gaming was legalized state-wide (only poker, pan, and live keno).

I am happy to finally get a legit ID on these chips.

Special thank you to Jack and Darcy.