What makes this hobby interesting is that we all collect different things for different reasons. There is no right or wrong.
I however maintain that if one collects for profit then one loses sight of the fact that this is a hobby, it becomes an investment. I'm sure most will agree that investing in casino chips certainly doesn't float to the top of anyone's list as being a great investment.

In your post, you mention value. Well the value is already there and will continue to be as ALL cash valued chips that have been in play through the entire history of A/C gaming are redeemable.
Hence you may view your chips as cash but in a different form. They can only go up in value.

Many people view LE's as being on par with collector plates, Franklin mint issues and cabbage patch dolls. It is that same mentality that had us throw out our comic books and baseball cards.
Remember, this hobby is growing but the mintage amount of any LE's issued will not grow. Unfortunately with current issue house chips, that is not the case.
Who knows, someday you may look back and say I should have kept those chips.
Remember if you are buying them at face as they are issued you are only tying up money, you lose nothing