Kilroy Was Here

🌆 Viva Las Vintage: The Allure of Collecting Las Vegas Souvenirs

Collecting Las Vegas souvenirs like chips, matchbooks, and swizzles

Not all items from collecting Las Vegas souvenirs are created equal. There’s something timeless about a chipped casino ashtray or a neon-hued swizzle stick from a long-demolished Vegas lounge. These little trinkets—once tossed into suitcases or left behind on bar counters—are now treasured keepsakes that capture the spirit, style, and spectacle of Las Vegas across decades. For collectors, they offer a nostalgic thrill that combines history, glamour, and kitsch in equal parts.

From the glitzy Strip to the smoky side rooms of forgotten casinos, Las Vegas has always been a place where memory and memorabilia collide. Visitors grabbed matchbooks as cheap souvenirs, casino chips as “lucky tokens,” and swizzle sticks as colorful reminders of one too many Mai Tais. Now, those same items are part of a thriving collector market—and they’re getting harder to find.

What makes these souvenirs so special isn’t just their vintage appeal, but what they represent: the golden age of Vegas. Whether it’s the Rat Pack era of the Sands or the flashy ‘80s showrooms of the Stardust, each item tells a story. And for many collectors, that story is personal—a reminder of a trip, a time, or a casino that no longer stands.

Collecting Las Vegas souvenirs isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about preserving a slice of Americana that burned bright, fast, and unforgettable. From felt-covered dice to foil-stamped matchbooks, Sin City’s relics are rolling the dice on a second life in your display case.

🎰 What Counts as a Vegas Souvenir?

Tourists who visited during the city’s mid-century heyday often start collecting Las Vegas souvenirs to reconnect with those trips. Las Vegas souvenirs go far beyond shot glasses and novelty T-shirts. For collectors, the real treasures are the everyday items handed out by casinos and lounges—pieces of ephemera that now serve as snapshots of the city’s ever-changing skyline. Think casino chips, branded matchbooks, swizzle sticks from cocktail bars, hotel ashtrays, keychains, dice, napkins, even room keys from long-gone resorts. If it’s got a casino name on it and came from Vegas, chances are someone’s collecting it.

Back in the golden years of the Strip—from the 1950s through the early 1980s—casinos regularly gave these items away as part of the Vegas experience. A complimentary drink came with a swizzle stick. Your poker winnings were handed over in custom casino chips. Smoking? Grab a branded matchbook or ashtray on your way out the door. Each item carried the casino’s logo, colors, and sometimes even a slogan—turning disposable goods into instant mementos.

Over time, these souvenirs became cultural artifacts. A matchbook from the Flamingo evokes Bugsy Siegel and mob-run Vegas. A chip from the Dunes recalls its iconic pink neon and camel statues. Even a swizzle stick from the Sahara hints at Elvis’s residency and the golden era of lounge acts.

Vintage postcards are a colorful part of collecting Las Vegas souvenirs

For collectors, these objects aren’t just keepsakes—they’re mini time machines. Whether found at flea markets or tucked in grandma’s junk drawer, Vegas souvenirs hold stories of glitz, grit, and gambling history that’s getting rarer with every hotel implosion.

🃏 Casino Chips and Dice

Classic casino chips collected while collecting Las Vegas souvenirs

Casino chips and dice are among the most recognizable and collectible souvenirs from Las Vegas. Originally designed for function, these small gaming tools have become prized relics of the city’s glittering past. Whether they come from high-roller tables or souvenir gift shops, they capture the thrill of gambling and the identity of the casinos that issued them.

Casino chips come in a wide range of denominations, colors, and designs. Each casino had its own custom chip artwork, often including logos, slogans, or thematic visuals. Some chips feature edge spots, intricate inlays, or hot-stamped foil—making them instantly identifiable and collectible. Chips from defunct casinos like the Stardust, Dunes, Frontier, or Sahara are especially valuable, as they represent a Las Vegas that no longer exists. Limited edition chips, issued for anniversaries or special events, are also in high demand.

Dice are another popular Vegas collectible, often marked with the name of the casino and a serial number. Casinos retire dice quickly to maintain fairness, which means used casino dice are often sold as souvenirs or discarded—making authentic examples a fun find for collectors. Pairs from closed casinos or unique color variations (like clear or frosted dice) are especially appealing.

Collectors often focus on condition, age, and rarity. Mint or uncirculated chips and dice hold higher value, but even well-used examples can be meaningful—especially if they came from a famous or long-demolished casino. Display cases, albums, and coin flips are common tools for organizing and protecting these items.

Together, casino chips and dice offer more than just a connection to the gaming floor—they're physical remnants of Las Vegas’s bold, bright, and often bizarre history.

🍸 Swizzle Sticks & Glassware

Swizzle sticks are a fun and nostalgic part of collecting Las Vegas souvenirs

Swizzle sticks and cocktail glassware might seem like small afterthoughts, but to Las Vegas collectors, they’re colorful, quirky symbols of the city’s golden age of nightlife. Swizzle sticks were once handed out freely in casino lounges, tiki bars, and high-end hotel cocktail lounges, often branded with the name of the resort or themed to match the drink itself. Today, they’re highly collectible—and surprisingly artistic.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, nearly every major casino and showroom had its own unique stirrers. Flamingos, dice, camels, palm trees, or even tiny showgirls were molded into plastic or Lucite swizzles, each one a drinkable souvenir. Some included casino names like the Sands, Tropicana, or Desert Inn, while others were more whimsical or risqué, reflecting the bold spirit of vintage Vegas.

Glassware, too, tells its own story. Casinos frequently served drinks in branded highball glasses, martini stems, or shot glasses—all of which made their way into collector cabinets. Sets from closed casinos are especially prized, as are unusual shapes or screen-printed logos that haven’t survived the dishwasher of time.

Collectors love grouping swizzle sticks by color, theme, or hotel, often displaying them in shadow boxes, jars, or upright in vintage barware. Glassware is usually kept in padded shelves or behind glass to prevent fading or damage.

These cocktail-era treasures capture the fun, flair, and festive energy of Las Vegas when lounge acts ruled, drinks were cheap, and every stir came with a memory.

🔥 Matchbooks, Ashtrays & Other Tabletop Treasures

Matchbooks and ashtrays are staples of collecting Las Vegas souvenirs

Before smartphones and souvenir shops took over, matchbooks and ashtrays were the go-to mementos from a night out in Las Vegas. Given away freely at casino floors, restaurants, showrooms, and bars, these everyday items have become highly collectible pieces of vintage ephemera—tiny, tangible reminders of Sin City’s smoking, drinking, deal-making past.

Matchbooks were often printed with bold logos, colorful illustrations, and cheeky slogans. Some featured full-color artwork of showgirls, headliners, or casino mascots, while others were simple and utilitarian—just the name and address of a now-demolished hotel. Collectors prize those from closed or historic casinos like the Sands, Riviera, or Hacienda, as well as rare variations with misprints or special event graphics.

Ashtrays also carry strong collector appeal, especially those made of ceramic or glass with molded logos, neon colors, or unusual shapes. Casinos went out of their way to make their ashtrays memorable—and functional. Some were heavy enough to double as paperweights, others were shaped like dice, card suits, or mini slot machines.

But the tabletop treasures don’t stop there. Coasters, napkins, keychains, stirrers, and even room service menus have found their way into vintage collections. Many were designed to be disposable, but thanks to travelers with a habit of pocketing souvenirs, they’ve survived the decades.

Today, collectors organize these items by casino, era, or theme—some even recreate vintage bar setups or shadowboxes showcasing all the little details that made old Vegas unforgettable. They’re proof that sometimes, the smallest things hold the biggest stories.

🔍 Identifying Valuable Vegas Collectibles

Room keys from casinos are popular in collecting Las Vegas souvenirs

Not all Las Vegas souvenirs are created equal—some items hold real collector value due to rarity, condition, and the story behind them. For those serious about collecting Las Vegas souvenirs, knowing what to look for can turn an everyday item into a prized piece of Sin City history.

First, defunct casinos are key. Items from long-gone spots like the Stardust, Dunes, El Rancho, and Riviera are more desirable because they can't be replaced. A chip, ashtray, or matchbook from a demolished property instantly becomes a piece of lost Vegas.

Condition matters just as much. Items that are unused, unmarked, or in mint condition command higher prices—especially casino chips with crisp inlays, matchbooks with all matches intact, or ashtrays with no chips or burns. But even well-loved pieces have charm, especially if tied to a specific era or event.

Rarity plays a big role. Limited edition casino chips, swizzle sticks with rare designs, or ashtrays with unusual branding can fetch a premium. Souvenirs made for VIP events or high-roller giveaways are also harder to find and highly sought after.

Lastly, authenticity is essential. Reproductions exist, especially for chips and matchbooks, so knowing how to spot genuine items—through printing techniques, markings, or catalog references—can protect your investment.

The thrill of collecting Las Vegas souvenirs is often in the hunt—and the history. The rarer the item and the clearer its connection to Vegas’s past, the more value it brings to your collection.

🎯 Who Collects These and Why?

The appeal of collecting Las Vegas souvenirs spans generations and backgrounds. Some collectors are lifelong Vegas fans chasing the nostalgia of neon lights and smoky casinos. Others are historians, fascinated by the city’s evolution from mob-run gambling halls to sprawling entertainment empires. And some just love the quirky charm of matchbooks, dice, and swizzle sticks stacked with logos from another time.

For former Vegas workers—dealers, bartenders, cocktail servers—these items hold personal memories. A chip from their old table or a branded glass from a long-demolished bar becomes a piece of their own story. Tourists who visited during the city’s mid-century heyday often start collecting to reconnect with those trips, bringing home more than just photographs.

There are also niche collectors who focus strictly on specific items: casino chips, matchbooks, or hotel room keys. Some even specialize in souvenirs from a single casino or a specific decade, like the Rat Pack era or the neon-soaked 1980s. Online forums, Facebook groups, and collector clubs provide a space for enthusiasts to trade, share stories, and show off rare finds.

In short, people collect for the same reason they went to Vegas in the first place—excitement, personality, and the thrill of something unexpected. Whether it’s for history, aesthetics, or personal connection, collecting Las Vegas souvenirs is a passion driven by both heart and heritage.

📁 Displaying & Preserving Your Vegas Finds

Once you’ve started collecting Las Vegas souvenirs, the next step is keeping them safe—and showing them off in style.  Whether it’s a drawer full of swizzle sticks or a prized chip from a demolished casino, proper storage and display not only protect your collection but also highlight its unique character.

For casino chips and dice, coin albums with clear inserts or foam-lined display cases work best. They keep each piece visible and secure while protecting from scratches or fading. Many collectors group chips by casino or denomination, while others create full shadowboxes that showcase their favorite closed resorts.

Matchbooks should be stored in acid-free pages or archival albums designed for stamps or postcards. Keep them out of direct sunlight to avoid fading, and always store books with their matches intact if possible. Matchbook collectors often arrange them by theme, city block, or casino era, making for an impressive flip-through experience.

Swizzle sticks and ashtrays can be displayed in upright containers, vintage barware setups, or custom frames. The bold colors and branding make them perfect conversation starters in home bars or themed shelving. For glassware and ashtrays, padded cabinets and light-controlled environments help prevent chips and discoloration over time.

Labeling your collection enhances both its organization and historical value. Include the casino name, estimated year, and any known backstory tied to the item. A well-preserved collection of Las Vegas souvenirs becomes more than a display—it’s a visual timeline of a city built on lights, luck, and lasting memories.

💬 Where to Buy, Sell & Trade Las Vegas Souvenirs

If you're serious about collecting Las Vegas souvenirs, knowing where to find the good stuff is half the fun. From online auctions to dusty antique shops, these treasures turn up in the most unexpected places—and the hunt is often just as exciting as the find.

eBay remains a top source, with listings for everything from vintage matchbooks and ashtrays to rare casino chips and dice from closed resorts. Be sure to read listings carefully and watch for reproductions, especially on high-demand items from places like the Stardust or Dunes. eBay and Etsy also offer niche souvenir selections, especially for matchbooks, postcards, and paper goods.

Local flea markets, antique malls, and estate sales are goldmines for uncirculated or overlooked pieces. Vendors may not realize the value of a Flamingo swizzle stick or a Sahara room key, giving savvy collectors the edge. Las Vegas itself also hosts memorabilia conventions and collectible shows where vendors bring top-tier vintage stock.

Collector clubs like the Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club (CCGTCC) provide opportunities to trade, attend events, and access member-only sales. Facebook groups, forums, and online communities offer swap boards and knowledgeable hobbyists who love sharing what they know.

And of course—if you’re in Southwest Iowa, don’t forget to stop by Kilroy Was Here! We’ve got a growing collection of vintage Las Vegas souvenirs, and we’re always open to trades or just talking shop with fellow collectors.

No matter where you buy or sell, always consider condition, authenticity, and history. That $2 ashtray might just be a piece of Vegas that disappeared when the lights went out.

🔎 Further Reading & Resources

📖 Read: Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club (CCGTCC)
🔍 Explore: Vintage Las Vegas – Photos and Memorabilia

M L Lamp

ML Lamp is the owner of Kilroy Was Here. After his 20 years of working in Las Vegas in the entertainment promotions field, Mr. Lamp retired in 2002 from his job to pursue his passion for collectibles. Now as a guest speaker and author he’s living the dream, and sharing his warmth with You.