You wrote: Couldn't we argue that stealing slot machines from casinos for "historical preservation" is justified if we do not intend to re-tool them to win and return them to the casinos?

While I see your point, in my opinion, it's not the same thing at all.

My logic is that the roulette chips and tournament/NCV chips are paid for. To take them for the purpose of reusing them at a later date at a higher denomination is both fraudulent and criminal.

No, it may not be nice harvest/keep the roulette chips, but it's definitely not the same thing as walking out of a casino with a slot machine.

Now we're up to 3¢ on the subject...