I can tell you it’s quite simple to have “secret” forums. They’re no different than the forums that only mods can see, or forums guests or new users can’t. It’s a trivial thing to do in the software.
And while I don’t have firsthand knowledge, I’ve heard several times there were private forums for the development of the “Boat*” chips. Of course there were!
I wasn't really around when most of the drama happened, but people did get upset. Apparently it got discussed, things got hot and lots of posts got deleted. A user created another forum to continue the discussions (it eventually shut down). Personally I felt envious and "slightly upset" about not being included. It doesn’t feel good to be reminded you’re not part of the in-group. (At the time I thought 5k posts at chiptalk and my paulson collection should have been enough)
Fake casino method vs VIP method
To order from GPI, the boat chips nagb involved creating a fake casino-services business that worked with cruise lines. Other NAGBs have been purchased through a card room, casino, or casino host, that has the go-ahead to create custom sets for VIPs.
I believe the first NAGB was supposed to be part of the sin city showdown (meetup). They were going to create a custom set for the meetup and attendees could buy racks or a set to take home. But public discussion (design phase) was quashed I think at the request of the casino/host/hookup. The meetup came and went, and the organizer did eventually end up with a full custom set of Paulsons. (To be clear, this is a personal cash set, procured years later at the same time as the Big Top Poker chips. As far as I can tell, they’ve never been sold or shared with anyone)
NAGBs are an interesting topic!
* boat chips are: empress star, aurora star, and pacific star