New Jersey Court Rejects $59,500 Claim for Unissued Playboy Casino Chips

A New Jersey court has ruled against Keith Hawkins, who sought to redeem $59,500 worth of gaming chips from the defunct Playboy Hotel and Casino, which closed in 1984. Hawkins purchased the 389 chips at an online auction, unaware they were deemed 'pilfered' by a former employee of the vendor responsible for destroying unused chips after the casino's closure. The appellate court concluded that the chips were never issued to patrons during normal operations, as they were meant for destruction and therefore not redeemable. Despite Hawkins's appeal, the court reaffirmed that the chips could not be cashed in as they did not originate from legitimate casino transactions. This decision underscores the complexities surrounding unclaimed property and the legality of gaming chips from closed casinos. The Playboy Casino, managed by several owners, including Donald Trump, ultimately closed permanently in 1999.