Primary vs. Secondary Chip Sets (1 Viewer)

[mnebesny]

I'm just kind of confused as to why certain casinos (Like Jack Detroit, PCA, Horseshoe Cincinnati and Cleveland, etc.) have a primary and secondary set of chips. Was this to have a backup set that was physically distinguishable incase there was a large scale robbery or something? Or were both sets in use at the same time?

 

[Eriks]

Casinos are required to have a secondary set in case the primary is compromised in some way.

 

[BGinGA]

Some regulatory agencies require that a backup set is available to be used if the primary chips are compromised. Some require a full set of backup chips; other jurisdictions only require that certain denominations (typically $25 and higher) have backups available. The base color of the backup chip is sometimes required to be the same as the primary, but that also varies by state regulation. Most of the time, only the compromised chip denomination is exchanged on the casino floor.

But there have been some instances where both the primary and secondary sets have been used, but typically not simultaneously. The Empress Casino (Joliet, IL) had both sets in play, as did the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria, IL. I don't know the particulars of why either secondary set was utilized. I'm sure there have been others, too.

 

[redeagle]

So does this mean that in an aftermarket chip sale when a casino closes or just wants a new chip design, that secondaries should be in better/unplayed condition?

 

[BillyBluff]

Absolutely. There are normally some unused primary chips too but they number far fewer than the secondaries that may never have been felted.

 

[redeagle]

Thanks. Until i found this thread I thought it was a grading system and figured secondaries were poor condition. Then I saw a post with pics showing different chip designs and they looked less used so I figured it was something else.