"But he only stole chips? The only way they're worth anything is if the casino gives him money for them. Seems a bit of a flaw in the plan to me..."

Seriously? He, or a "friend", can take those chips back to the casino at any time, hang out and gamble a bit and then cash them in (little by little most likely). Cha-ching!!

Ok, i guess my visual cortex is not so well endowed!