I've looking into it before. The Silver Dollar Ballroom was a bingo parlor in Tyler. The owner, George Skalicky, was a local rancher who also owned a coffee bar in town. During the 1970s he was convicted of tax evasion, made easier because his businesses were largely cash basis.

Other than not paying his taxes, I don't see anything illegal. I assume the chips were given as "Good For" tokens used as currency within the bingo games.