Please define the difference between "stealing" and "harvesting" in regards to casino chips. This may be an article idea or something to put in the next club magazine. Thanks!

The discussion threads the last few days on this ChipBoard has ignited some strong feelings and I would like to know definitively, how the determines how something has been "harvested" or has been designated as "stolen". If I purchase a rack of chips (regardless of type/denomination), wouldn't they be considered "purchased" or "bought"? And, if something has been purchased/bought, then the person who made the purchase is now the "owner" and can do whatever they choose to do with said purchase, right? I can see and understand the difference when it comes to tournament chips, but the NCV (No Cash Value), Non-Denomination, and roulette chips, I do not. Please clarify, if possible...

Let's face it, look at everything that is considered a casino collectible... how much/many of these "collectibles" do you honestly believe would still exist, if people didn't "harvest", "steal", "buy", and/or "take" from the brink of oblivion (trash)? Please consider this small list... ashtrays, menus, swizzle sticks, napkins, matchbooks, glasses, slot machines ~ slot glasses, robes, hotel room keys, cards, dice, chips, decanters, signs, stationary, pens, etc. (not all of these items were "bought")...

Regards,
Thomas (R-7788)