Casino Chip
Coloured tokens used as currency on the casino floor, exchanged for cash at the cage.
Detailed Explanation
Casino chips (also called checks or tokens) are standardised currency substitutes used on the gaming floor. Chips are issued by the casino's cage (cashier) and individual gaming tables, and serve several practical and security purposes: they standardise bet sizes, enable dealers to process bets quickly, and incorporate anti-counterfeiting technology that makes chip fraud extremely difficult.
Chips are colour-coded by denomination, though exact colours vary by property. In Las Vegas, a common standard is white = $1, red = $5, green = $25, black = $100, purple = $500, and orange = $1,000. Macau uses similar colour coding for patacas (MOP). Some casinos issue non-negotiable chips for bonus promotions that cannot be cashed out directly.
At the end of a session, chips must be returned to the cage and exchanged for cash. Taking chips off-premises is generally prohibited. High-value chips ($5,000 and above) typically require verification at the cage, and some casinos use RFID-embedded chips for real-time tracking of high-denomination play on the floor.
Related Entries
Player & Finance
Bankroll
The total amount of money a player sets aside specifically for gambling.
Casino Operations
Cage
The secure cashier area where players exchange chips for cash and access casino banking services.
Table Game Terms
Color Up
Exchanging a stack of lower-denomination chips for fewer higher-denomination chips of equal total value.
VIP & High Roller
Comp
Complimentary goods or services offered by a casino to reward player loyalty and action.