"but Gene is also the one who has singlehandedly started this mess, some 10 years ago"
WHOA - hold on a minute. Gene started the single most important contributory factor to why the hobby is where it is today.

Almost all new collectors start with Las Vegas LE's and go on from there.

Now, lets just look at your "easy money" comment.
An order of 500 Bud Jones chips costs, let me see........

$350 for artwork
$550 for chips
$100 for boxes/racks/delivery/sales tax

Wow, the casino makes a whopping $1500 from a new release. How much do you think that really affects the bottom line?