Strip Casinos End Cross-Property Poker Chip Cash-Ins

Poker players on the Las Vegas Strip will soon be forced to adjust to yet another big change in the way they cash in their chips. 

Starting this week, several major casino operators will stop accepting poker chips from other properties, ending the long-standing practice of honoring competitors’ chips.

Caesars, MGM, The Venetian, and Palazzoto Implement the Changes

Beginning Thursday, July 17, Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International will only redeem poker chips from their own casinos. 

A spokesperson for MGM Resorts, which runs four poker rooms on the Strip and recently received a sell rating, confirmed the update Monday. 

Similarly, a spokesperson for Wynn and Encore said the sister properties would also implement the same policy.

The Venetian and Palazzo, home to the largest poker room on the Strip, is also making the switch. Their updated policy goes into effect Wednesday. 

“The Venetian Resort Las Vegas will no longer exchange casino chips based on poker play from other casinos,” a spokesperson said. The same announcement described the policy change “another measure” in their commitment to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. 

At Caesars properties, including the iconic Caesars Palace and host of the World Series of Poker, only their branded chips will be accepted at their casino cages starting Thursday. 

Notices posted in Caesars casinos read: “As of July 17, 2025, Caesars Entertainment properties will not cash other casinos’ chips from poker play, and our own chips from poker play will not be accepted elsewhere. Please redeem your poker chips prior to leaving the premises.”

An MGM spokesperson clarified that players can still redeem poker chips from one MGM-operated casino at another MGM property.

The Change Was “a Good Idea”

Nevada gaming regulators say the decision was driven by the casinos themselves. “We believe this change was a good idea and a great example of our industry actively addressing (anti-money laundering) concerns,” said Mike Dreitzer, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Poker rooms have historically posed a challenge for anti-money laundering efforts, since players often exchange chips for cash and back, without the casino being able to track the transactions as tightly as other games.

For now, the policy applies only to poker chips. Casino representatives said Monday that chips from table games will not be affected. Currently, 11 poker rooms operate on the Strip, located inside Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Horseshoe, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World, Sahara, Venetian, and Wynn.