"Paragon may have substantial $$ of Hooter's chips floating out there -- maybe $10,000? $50,000? More?"

I'd wager it's closer to $200,000.
Many non-chip collectors will have kept chips.
The $5 LE's issued are over $300k
Another $250k of other denoms
I'd also bet 20,000 house $1's walked.

Not a comparison but at one point Circus Circus had a standing order for 10,000 $1 chips a month!! That's roughly what they were losing.
Palms was losing about 10,000 a year at the start.
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