"I guess I am wondering if they are directly contributing to the collectors hobby,"
Casinos are not asked nor do they pick.
In fact I doubt any one working in a casino ( outside of a chip collector) would have any idea what you are talking about.

Good story.
I asked a long time GPI salesman (6 months ago) why the 2 molds were being mixed up. His answer was what 2 molds. He did not know there were 2.

I don't remember which one was first. IMO business was good and they ordered in more molds. They got a variation, and had no idea it was a variation.