US: Chips down for casino bandit in Las Vegas

POLICE in Las Vegas are looking for an armed bandit who stole at least $1.5 million in casino chips from the Bellagio and fled on a motorcycle.

The thief took chips ranging in value from $100 to $25,000, police said. However, he might find it hard to redeem the chips at any other casino except the Bellagio, an Italian-themed casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Gordon Absher, spokesman for Bellagio owner MGM Resorts International, said the casino chips aren't the same as cash.

"At some point they have to be redeemed," he said.