Rich:

Plastic it is!

When gaming was legalized in North Dakota for Charity Casinos, there was a big rush to get up and running as quickly as possible - and they used most anything and everything that they could get a hold of at the time until the normal orders from the suppliers could be ordered and delivered.

While there are both regulations (now) as to the chips that can be used, there is no review process and there are still many chips on the tables that do NOT meet the requirements as stated in law.

They also have an enforcement department, but this is more to ensure that neither the players nor the Charities are skimming the profits or cheating.

Quite an interesting puzzle to figure out all of the history. Thankfully, they DO publish a quarterly update as to the licensed operators as well as locations - with one caveat: Most of the listings turn out that the only form of gambling are pull tabs. But you do not know that until you arrive. Unless you ASK and they feel like responding, you may get a listing of those places that actually have table games.

But even then, getting the chips is another mater. I had to stop at one place a good half dozen times or so before I could find the tables open, and then another half-dozen times before I could get any of the chips. Been kicked out of a few places as well, but that only adds to the memories of collecting and stories to tell over a tall cold one at the bar!

More to come.....

John