Host a Casino Night

If you want to give your guests a night they’re sure to remember, host a casino night. Casino parties are great fun because they’re filled with activity and guests have the opportunity to move around, meet new people, and pretend for a short period of time that they’re a high roller in Las Vegas.

To host a casino night, you’ll need plenty of space for gaming tables. For this reason, it’s often wise to hold a casino night in a rented space. You should plan to have at the very least a roulette wheel and black jack tables; if space allows you should include a craps table as well.

At a casino night, you’ll supply each guest with “play money” that they’ll use for gambling during the evening. Then, at the end of the evening, it’s great to have some prizes that you can auction off, allowing guests to pay with their remaining money.

A casino night can be expensive to host, so they’re often corporate parties or charity events. If you’d like to host one yourself, consider making it a charity function. By asking your guests for a donation to your favorite charity as an “admission price”, you may be able to get vendors to donate party space, gaming tables and even food, lowering the cost of hosting the event.

Planning your casino night requires five basic elements.

• Guest List and Invitations – If your casino night is in aid of charity, avoid inviting people that you know would have difficulty making a contribution. Choose friends who will support your chosen charity gladly and who will enjoy the evening’s activities. Check out the Las Vegas invitations at MyExpression.com. They’re perfect for this type of event; just print your party details and off you go!
• Venue – You’ll need to find an event facility that can accommodate gaming tables and your expected number of guests. If you’re hosting a charity event, you’ll want a venue that will either waive the rental fee altogether or give you a discounted rate. See if your venue offers catering service or partners with a caterer to make planning easier and less expensive.
• Games – Find a rental location in your area that can provide the required gaming tables. Many of these companies supply “dealers” to work the tables, too. These personnel are important, because they are knowledgeable in how the games are played. This company may also be able to provide “money” for distributing to your guests.
• Prizes – If you’re hosting a charity event, you may be able to get local companies to donate prizes. If you’re funding the party yourself, I would recommend having just one prize for the person who has amassed the most “play money” at the end of the evening.
• Menu – You can make your menu as elaborate or simple as you like. If money is an issue, consider having your party begin at 9:00, when guests will already have eaten dinner. This way you can keep the menu light, perhaps just offering a dessert buffet. You may even be able to get local bakeries to donate desserts. If you’re hosting a charity event, I suggest having a cash bar. This will help reduce the costs. Most vendors won’t donate alcohol, even for charity, because it’s such a large expense.

Casino nights are great fun for all who participate. And, they can be a fun and effective way to raise money for your favorite organization. Plan wisely, and you could be hosting a very successful casino night soon!