Split Pot Question???

[GMFlash01]

I remember this scenario from my last trip to a card room and am still confused by the results. Here is the situation:

Four players are in a LHE pot, players A, B, C, D. During the turn betting player C is moved all in, and a side pot is created between the remaining players.

At the showdown, Players A and D show the same hand and tie for the side pot and main pot. While the dealer is cutting up both pots, there is a extra chip in each pot. The dealer then gives BOTH extra chips to player A since he is to the left of the dealer.

Is this the rule for all casinos? If it really a split pot why are all of the chips not combined and then split equally leaving each player the same amount of chips?

Honestly it's only 1 chip and not a very big deal. Just wondering if anyone else has ever had an experience like this?