Some of the old chips are truly from places that operated illegally. I see no problem with calling them illegals.

However, some are from places that required no license and operated where no law prohibited their kind of play. I think their chips should rightly be called unlicensed. Oregon is one area where social gambling is not prohibited by law. There are other places. Some text from current Oregon law:

ORS 167.117

(7) "Gambling" means that a person stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the control or influence of the person, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. "Gambling" does not include:

(a) Bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities, and agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including but not limited to contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health or accident insurance.

(b) Engaging in contests of chance under the following conditions:

(A) The contest is played for some token other than money;

(B) An individual contestant may not purchase more than $100 worth of tokens for use in the contest during any 24-hour period;

(C) The tokens may be exchanged only for property other than money;

(D) Except when the tokens are exchanged for a beverage or merchandise to be consumed on the premises, the tokens are not redeemable on the premises where the contest is conducted or within 50 miles thereof; and

(E) Except for charitable, fraternal or religious organizations, no person who conducts the contest as owner, agent or employee profits in any manner from operation of the contest.

(c) Social games.

(d) Bingo, lotto or raffle games or Monte Carlo events operated in compliance with ORS 167.118, by a charitable, fraternal or religious organization licensed pursuant to ORS 167.118, 464.250 to 464.380 and 464.420 to 464.530 to operate such games.