Re: Not my first dumb question...
As I understand it, the gaming control board monitors the inventory as it comes into the casino. Thus, if they are approved for 1000 of a particular chip, the board's agents make sure 1000 are received. After all, if 2500 are received, it would enable people to have cash equivalents that they could redeem in an illegal fashion.
Counting chips is like counting 5 dollar bills when they enter or leave a bank. It must be done because that's what the business is all about.