Bellagio to remove $25k chips

Bellagio tournament chips

Bellagio is removing their $25,000 chips from circulation.

This is in direct response to the armed robbery in mid-December, where a motorcycle helmet-wearing bandit parked his motorcycle in valet, strolled into the Bellagio with a gun, and robbed a craps table worth of $1.5 million in high-denom chips.  No one was harmed, with security not approaching him for fear he’d possibly use the weapon.

Anyone who may have those chips can redeem through April 22, but after then they won’t be worth anything.

In Nevada, four months’ notice is required before the changeover or removal of chips.  Notice must be shown in the casino as well as public listings in newspapers.

We’ll be cashing in a few of our $25k chips that we found under the couch cushions.