Mark; Not all chip collectors come from the same mold. I do think that we all collect for the FUN of it... to a degree.... or different degrees. If we didn't enjoy the hobby ... we wouldn't be in it.

Some of us profit by being in the hobby in a commercial role as well as being a collector ... something I don't see as a conflict. In every hobby I know of, there are those who supply the hobbiests with tools, materials and merchandise in order to enjoy the hobby to the fullest. Some sell 2 x 2 pages and supplies, some sell catalogs, some sell knowledge, some sell chips & tokens, some sell services, the casinos sell a product that our members clamor for, even our club sells advertising space to dealers and also sells table space to those who wish to sell casino collectibles to convention visitors.

If one seriously looks at this "hobby" ... it is sales of one sort or another that drives it (in my humble opinion). I don't think that this club would have as great a following if we were all simply pen-pals trading our duplicates. Somebody has to buy the premium items to re-sell to those collectors and customers who are seeking such items for their collections.

There is room for everyone in this "hobby" and I still fail to understand why this hobby vs. business conflict question comes up every so often. It's not against the law to profit from the sale of a casino chip.... nor is it against the best interests of the individual club members who make up this hobby.

If at the end of the day someone decided to give up this "hobby" tomorrow and there is a financial reward at the end of the rainbow when they sell ... or financial gain for the heirs who dispose of a collection that provided so much fun and enjoyment to a collector while he/she was alive ... that's a defininite plus for the hobby.