I would guess that the rule is in place because the gaming commission wants nothing that smirks of inside trading or rigging to take place.

500 chips is just fine with me and the casinos won't be harmed by issuing this minimum number.

It is wonderful news for collectors or NIS and bad news for those who manipulate, control and seek to bilk the collectors. The people who only care about profiting off collectors, will not like the new rule.

For the higher denominations, there may not be a sell out, but for the $5, $2.50s or $1 chips, it means most of us, with a desire, will have a chip for our collection. It's still a small enough number to make chips collectible, but not have the issue controlled by insiders. It's only a minimum rule and since most chips are issued in Qtys. of greater than 500 already, the effect will only be on the high value chips, which will be in greater supply.

I say BRAVO!

Remember that collecting is first for fun in my opinion. If it wasn't enjoyable, I would do something else.