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Ah, the Mardi Gras Queen Casino of Tarpon Springs—a tale as fleeting and flamboyant as a bead-strewn parade float caught in a Florida squall.
In the early 2000s, Tarpon Springs, renowned for its sponge docks and Greek heritage, found itself in a maritime identity crisis. The town, once a haven for sponges and souvlaki, had become a revolving door for casino cruises with names like Mr. Lucky, Magic Mermaid, and The Dixie Duck. These ventures often departed faster than a gambler's luck, leaving behind unpaid bills and skeptical locals .
Enter the Mardi Gras Queen in early 2005, a 186-foot, three-level casino boat promising to rejuvenate the town's fortunes. With 225 slot machines, 15 poker tables, and a roulette wheel, it aimed to bring the glitz of Las Vegas to the Gulf Coast. Passengers would board via a refurbished whale-watching boat, shuttling them to international waters where the real action began .
Despite efforts to charm the community—donating to local charities and inviting merchants aboard—the Mardi Gras Queen couldn't escape the curse that plagued its predecessors. After a mere two months, it folded faster than a novice poker player holding a pair of twos .
Today, the Mardi Gras Queen lives on in the annals of Tarpon Springs lore and in the hands of collectors who cherish its colorful casino chips—a tangible reminder of a high-stakes dream that, like a Mardi Gras mask, was all glitter and no substance.
For those interested in a piece of this brief but vibrant history, vintage Mardi Gras Queen casino chips occasionally surface on collector sites, offering a tangible memento of Tarpon Springs' flirtation with floating casinos.
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SAVE ON SHIPPING! I WILL COMBINE SHIPMENTS WHICH LOWERS
POSTAGE IF YOU BUY MORE THAN ONE OF MY LISTED CHIPS IN THE SAME ORDER!
PLEASE READ REGARDING CONDITION AND
BUSINESS BLAH BLAH BLAH:
Casino chips and Vegas Vintage collectibles are my passion.
While I enjoy selling these collectibles, I also love to pass on the enjoyment
and passion for this amazing hobby to young and old alike. My home is Las Vegas
and I enjoy learning the colorful history of this unique place!
Please look closely at the photographs. Unless you see the
words "stock photo," then the picture is of the item you will
receive. When I am selling multiples of an item, it will be a photo of one of
the items, and not necessarily the item you will receive, but will be a photo
of a chip in the inventory. I guarantee
you that you will receive a chip of the same or even better quality.
MY SHIPPING POLICY IS VERY SIMPLE: This item will be
shipped by the most economical method available for this particular item in
order to reduce your shipping costs. If I receive payment by noon Las Vegas
time the shipment will go out that day. If payment is received after that time,
it will be shipped the next business day, Saturday & Sunday and holidays are NOT BUSINESS
DAYS. SAVE ON SHIPPING! I WILL COMBINE
SHIPMENTS! Just ask for an invoice rather than paying up front and
I'll discount the shipping proportionally.
I am a member of the Casino Collectibles Association (#R-9282) and am held to a high standard as a member.
None of my chips have been professionally graded (except by me) but I am
careful to take lots of pictures so you know exactly what you are getting. I
use The Chip Rack condition rating system, and I price in accordance with the
Chip Rack Price Guide, 22nd edition (SSS publishing and available on
at: www.thechiprack.com) criteria, and also current market conditions,
including recent sales on Ebay and other casino chip sites. I try very hard to
remain competitive with my prices. All my individual chips come in a protective
coin case so there will be no damage.
I have attempted to give accurate information regarding
condition and to disclose any defects, stains, etc. I take plenty of pictures to give you an
accurate idea of condition. Please look at the pictures! I typically take side
1, side 2, and the edge. My own personal
condition rating is what you see, and it’s based upon the Casino Collectibles
Association rating system (New, Like New, Slightly Used, Average, Well-Used and
Poor). See below for the CCA condition guidelines. Keep in mind that the
condition is in the eyes of the collector, so look closely at the
photographs. If you are unhappy with a
chip, I will refund your purchase price upon return.
If for any reason you are not happy with any item(s) you
receive please contact me via EBAY messages. I will do my best to fix any
problem, will refund your purchase price upon return of the item.
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Casino Collectibles
Association Condition Guidelines::
NEW: Never used in games; square and round edge chips
will be as from the manufacturer with absolutely no wear, no dings or nicks; no
scratches on surface of chip or inlay.
SLIGHTLY USED: Only slight signs of use, edge still
crisp but ever so slightly dulled with very little wear, cross hatching may
show slight wear near edge; few or no edge nicks; still retains luster in mold
design; bold hot stamp; inlays excellent.
AVERAGE: Typical chip found in play after
months/years of use; slight rounded edges; will have minor defects such as
small nicks on edges; inlays are beginning to show ever wear and about half of
the cross hatching has worn from the body surface, hot stamps have dulled,
beginning to show even wear and may be missing a small amount of foil.
WELL-USED: Moderate and uniform wear of edge, surface
and hot stamp, noticeable edge nicks and/or surface scratches; no lust in mold
design; cross hatching is nearly worn off; hot stamp is still readable but much
of the foil is missing.
POOR: Edges that were formerly sharp and square are
now well worn like bicycle tires; original hot stamp foil is mostly missing
with only the recesses visible; moderate to large chips or nicks; surface cross
hatching barely visible if at all, severe scratches to inlay or chip surface;
severe color fading; partial wear up to half of CHIPCO design from the edge to
the center of the chip.
I add one more condition: LIKE
NEW. I never list a chip as uncirculated or new, even if it appears so, unless
I’ve gotten it shrink wrapped and in the box from the chip maker. I just don’t
think it’s possible to say with certainty that it’s new or uncirculated.
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Please take a look at
my store for more great casino chips. I have over 2000 chips listed on Ebay,
and new chips go on sale each week!
I have many more
chips and other cool collectibles in my EBay store! Visit and subscribe to be
the first to know about new listings: https://www.ebay.com/str/slimzmart
If you are interested
in joining the Casino Collectibles Association you can learn lots, make good
friends and find good resources for chips. Just Google and say Member # R-9282
referred you!
Also, if you would
like to have a copy to the Chip Rack Guide to Nevada Casino chips, you can buy
a copy at the Chip Rack