new to me... wife not being able to cash out

[Headhunter13]

lgkeeper -- then your experience was VERY different from mine. My friend and I went 50-50 on the Bellagio $1060 tourney last year. He chopped first place with others and won $28k. TD would give him NO information other than handing him a brochure outlining the IRS rules. TD DID say to hang on to the poker tournament receipt they gave us b/c it would make it easier to cash out. Sure enough, I tried to cash out 4k by the blackjack and they asked to see my player's card. I told them I didn't have one, but when I showed the tournament receipt, they cashed the chips right away. When we cashed some in the poker room, the cashier gave us no problems.

It's simply a combination of security practice on their end, and trying not to make it too easy to circumvent IRS regs. ALso, as others have said, chips are not to be used for non-gaming (payment of debts) purposes except for tipping casino (NOT hotel ... I don't think you're supposed to tip the waitress or maid with chips) personnel.

--Headhunter