What Types of Casino Memorabilia Do People Collect?

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 12/22/2023

Jane Shaw Senior Editor See Full Bio

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

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Casino Memorabilia

• Casino Collectibles: An Introduction
• Vintage Memorabilia: What is It?
• Casino Chips: A Collector’s Dream
• Playing Cards: As Popular as Ever
• Casino Art: Decor Deluxe
• Promo Posters
• Frequently Asked Questions

Casino memorabilia can be worth a lot of money – whether it’s vintage casino memorabilia, rare finds, casino chips, playing cards, art, or promotional posters, each memorabilia piece tells a story of glamor, risk, and the evolution of the gambling industry. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to this intriguing hobby, you’ll find valuable insights, tips, and stories about gambling memorabilia right here in today’s blog!

Casino Collectibles: An Introduction

Casino collectibles include a wide range of items, each with their own unique story and place in gambling history. From vintage slot machines to rare poker chips, these collectibles offer a real connection to the past – and collectors have even been known to look for old cigarettes showing casino branding, dealer’s vests, and historic table layouts.

To those who aren’t already involved in the casino memorabilia world, this can seem very odd – but once you get involved with the hobby, it can be surprisingly addictive!

While this blog focuses on casino and poker memorabilia, our site also covers pretty much all things gambling, including showing you the best online blackjack sites – so don’t forget to check out our other pages, too!

Vintage Casino Memorabilia: What is It?

Vintage casino memorabilia refers to collectible items from old casinos and classic gambling destinations. This can include things like chips, dice, playing cards, signs, menus, matchbooks, ashtrays, and more from iconic casino hotels and gaming halls from the past.

For example, vintage items from the early days of Las Vegas, when the city was just developing as a gambling destination in the 1940s and 1950s, are highly sought after. Chips, dice, playing cards, and signage from historic Vegas casinos like the Flamingo, the Dunes, the Sands, and the Stardust can be worth a lot to collectors. Matchbooks, ashtrays, menus, and cocktail napkins from these classic hotels are also collectible.

Vintage memorabilia from older gambling hotspots like Monte Carlo, Atlantic City, Reno, and Havana also have appeal for collectors interested in casino history. Vintage roulette wheels and tables, slot machines, and betting slips from old-time casinos and racetracks can also be found. Some collectors focus on items from illegal backroom gambling dens and underground casinos from the 1920s and 1930s.

Rarer items like costume pieces, furniture, or decor from a historic casino can be highly sought after. Condition is very important for collectible value. The older and rarer the piece, the higher the value, especially if it’s in solid condition. The value of memorabilia can also increase – significantly – if the original ownership of the item can be traced back with documentation and proof throughout.

Vintage casino memorabilia can be worth a huge amount of money – sometimes ranging into the six and even seven-figure range – and we’ll show you some examples of this in today’s blog.

Casino Chips: A Collector’s Dream

For enthusiasts of casino memorabilia, casino chips are some of the most iconic and coveted collectibles. From the classic clay-based poker chips to stylish, modern ceramic chips, these small tokens have always been popular among collectors.

The history of casino chips traces back to the 1800s when clay composite chips were first used in saloons and gambling halls. These early chips came in many shapes and sizes before the now-standard “Crown and Anchor” mold became popular. Vintage clay chips are highly sought after by collectors for their classic design and feel.

As Las Vegas boomed in the 1950s, distinctive chips were minted for each casino. Iconic designs like the Stardust rocket ship, the Desert Inn sunburst, and the Sands pagoda became recognizable symbols of Vegas’ glory days. Collectors avidly seek out chips from these classic casinos, with rare designs reaching into the thousands in value.

Modern chips employ much more durable materials like ceramic, composite polymer, or compressed metal. This allows for intricate designs bursting with color. Themed chips drawing from movies, TV shows, brands, or local culture are endlessly creative. For serious gamblers, the tactile, weighted feel of premium chips enhances the gaming experience.

For collectors, however, the thrill comes from the hunt for rare chips. Scouring eBay, specialist dealers, conventions, and auctions to complete a set is part of the addiction. Documenting chip specifics like the mold, inset, edge spots, and markings is equally exciting, too! Again, you’d be amazed at just how much casino chips can be worth – especially if they’re crack-free and in good condition.

Playing Cards: As Popular as Ever

Playing cards are another hugely popular form of memorabilia for collectors – and that’s because they can be found in numerous different forms, from vintage decks to modern custom designs. Collectible playing cards showcase artwork, innovation, and cultural themes – and they actually have a pretty unique history, too.

Standard playing cards originated in Europe in the 1300s, evolving from simple pipped cards into the familiar 52-card French suited deck. Vintage playing cards produced between the 1500s to early 1900s, known as Old Masters packs, are exceptionally rare and valuable. Even early 20th-century decks from US makers like Russell Playing Card Company or New York Consolidated Card Company can fetch huge amounts of money when they go to auction!

Modern custom decks allow artists and designers to create stunning original styles. Cardistry decks feature bold patterns optimized for card flourishing and manipulation. Art decks reimagine the suits and royalty into fully illustrated characters and scenes. Brand collaborations result in creative decks bearing logos from movies, TV shows, video games, and more, too!

While it’s pretty rare to see playing cards being sold for massive money – at least, when compared to other memorabilia talked about on this page – the right deck, in the right condition, can be worth a lot – so don’t throw away any old decks in your home just yet!

Interestingly, sometimes, playing cards are given away by casinos – and even some of the best online poker sites have run competitions in the past where winners can claim vintage playing card decks!

Casino Art: Decor Deluxe

For those fascinated by casino culture and history, collecting casino art offers a window into the glamorous world of gaming. From vintage prints to modern pop art, casino-themed artwork captures the excitement and nostalgia of the gaming floor.

Vintage casino artwork from the 1920s to the 1950s provides a glimpse into the early days of Vegas-style gambling. These images featured high-rolling gentlemen, showgirls, and early renditions of iconic hotels like the Flamingo and Stardust. Prints from travel posters, matchbooks, menus, and more are collected from defunct casinos like the Dunes, Sands, Desert Inn, and others that shaped classic Vegas.

The Rat Pack era of the 1960s inspired modern takes on the old-school vintage casino scenes, with photos of gamblers and dealers in action giving collectors a close-up look into the (sometimes) seedy world of gambling. For Las Vegas history, collections of vintage postcards, matchbooks, and menus capture the evolution of the Strip in a really visible way!

More contemporary artists apply modern pop art styles to casino themes. The bold colors, neon lights, and larger-than-life atmosphere of casinos translate into eye-catching canvas prints. Sculptures and figurines of high rollers, slots, cards, chips, and dice have also become popular collectable items, too!

Promo Posters

Posters have been an integral part of the casino industry for decades, serving as a vibrant and dynamic way to promote events, games, and the glitzy lifestyle associated with casinos. From vintage posters advertising legendary Las Vegas shows to modern, sleek designs promoting the latest slot games, each poster holds its unique place in the history of gambling and entertainment.

The evolution of these posters mirrors the transformation of the casino industry itself – from the neon-lit extravagance of the 20th century to the sophisticated digital graphics of today. Collectors and enthusiasts often seek out these posters for their artistic merit, nostalgia, and the stories they tell about the evolution of gaming culture.

Casino posters can vary widely in design, featuring everything from elaborate illustrations of slot machines and table games to glamorous depictions of showgirls and famous entertainers who graced casino stages. Some posters are coveted for their historical significance, such as those advertising opening nights of now-iconic casinos or farewell performances of legendary artists.

The value of a casino poster can be influenced by several factors. The age of the poster, its condition, the artist who created it, and its rarity all play a part in determining its worth. Posters from defunct casinos or those that mark significant events in gambling history are particularly prized. The following table highlights some different aspects of what can affect a poster’s value: