In what has been described by some in the media as an Ocean's 11-type heist, an armed robber stole chips totalling $1.5m from the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip this week. In reality, the chips are probably worthless.
The robbery occurred at 3:50am on Tuesday when a man parked his motorcycle at the entrance of the Bellagio, entered the casino and demanded a dealer at a craps table hand over the chips, ranging from $100 to $25,000 in value.
Hotel security did not attempt to tackle the man but it is understood the police were called before he exited the building.
Police Lieutenant Clint Nichols told a news conference: "The suspect entered the casino and went directly to a craps table and confronted several patrons with a firearm - telling everyone not to move.
"The robber ran back out of his casino following his original route and jumped on his motorcycle and exited westbound at a high rate of speed."
However, in addition to numerous eye-witness reports and CCTV footage of the robbery, the casino’s operator, MGM Resort International, is understood to have other safeguards in place. Irrespective of whether the chips contain RFID or other tracking devices, the heightened security surrounding the casino will make cashing the chips almost impossible.
