How to Run a Casino Night Fundraiser

Throwing a Casino Night fundraiser party can be a great experience for everyone involved as long as it is done responsibly. Such a party can be hosted for fun, in celebration of an important event like a birthday or anniversary, or to raise money for a church or charity. No matter the reason, the event should appeal to the identified potential audience.

Determine what type of Casino Night fundraiser party to throw. It might involve card games like poker or blackjack, or expand to include roulette, slot machines, or anything else desired. The key is to have the particular "type" of event in mind. City, county, or state regulations may establish the types of games you can have.

Establish a budget and set a goal for the amount of money to be brought in. Once established, stay within the budget, even if it means changing certain aspects of the event.

Choose a time and place for the party. The location might be dependent on the number of people you plan to invite as well as the various types of games to be played. Whether or not you are serving a full dinner or simply snacks and a bar will also have an impact on the choice of venue.

Pick a theme for the party if one is desired. For example, it could be an Old West Gambling Night, a Vegas Night, a Married to the Mob Casino Night or any other theme you desire. Ask guests to dress accordingly.

Establish the schedule for the night and set down any guidelines that are needed.

Purchase or make invitations that fit the theme chosen for your casino night fundraiser. If you don't want a "theme" try sending an invitation glued to the front of a playing card. Invitations should go out no later than 10 days before the scheduled event.

Decide if guests will be asked to dress in character. For an Old West Gambling Night, guests could dress as cowboys and bar girls. For a Vegas Night, guests might dress in semi-formal or formal attire. For a Mob Casino Night, guests could dress in clothing from any era between the '20s and '50s.

Decide on other decorations for the Casino night fundraiser. These too will be dependent upon the theme chosen as well as the location for the event.

Establish a menu for the event. However, keep the focus of the night mainly on the games; not the food.

Arrange for a caterer to provide the food and drink established by the menu. If necessary, hire bartenders and waitresses for the evening.

Decide whether to have liquor, wine or beer. These can be major moneymakers for a charity or church event but there are safety issues and liability involved whenever alcohol is served. Additionally, many cities, counties, and even states require a permit whenever alcohol is served.

Decide if background music is important. If so, consider keeping the music in line with the theme. For example, for an Old West Gambling Night, maybe a piano player is all that is needed. For a Vegas or Mob Casino Night, however, you might opt for a singer or a band.

Make arrangements for any music desired for the event. Hire a performer, DJ, singer, or band as required.

Figure out the best ways to make money at the casino night fundraiser. Charge a dollar amount for chips or play money, if applicable. Set the slot machines to accept a certain type of loose change. Charge for food, drink, or both. If none of those options appeal to you, simply charge a per-person cover fee and let everything inside the event be free. Follow regulations and permit requirements to avoid being shut down.

Make sure the chosen location knows what is expected from them. Some locations may be able to provide tables and chairs, a sound system or even food and drink. Others might not provide anything but floor space, leaving you responsible for everything else that is needed.

Arrange for any equipment, furnishings, and decorations required for the event. There may be local party planners or rental shops that can provide most, if not all, of the things needed to pull off the event.

Keep track of RSVPs to be certain you don't go over the allotted number of attendees as established by the location's fire code.

Solicit prizes for guests who win at games. If the event is for charity, many local businesses may be willing to provide prizes or gift certificates in return for being listed as a sponsor. If the event is just for fun, choose inexpensive "theme" gifts from local gift stores. Purchase one or more grand prizes for the big winners of the night.

Find dealers for Casino Night. These could be friends, volunteers, or professionals hired through a party-planning agency.

Appoint someone to patrol the different games to make sure no one is getting drunk or otherwise out of hand.

Set up decorations at least five hours prior to the event. That way, any last minute changes or necessities can be met.

Make sure the food and drink is set up as much as possible at least one hour prior to the event. While hot or cold items may need to stay within containers until later, table settings, paper goods, and the like should be set up ahead of time.

Set out the prizes at least two hours before the event. Appoint someone, if necessary, to be in charge of tallying scores and awarding prizes.

Welcome guests as they enter the event. Pass out a flier to explain the rules of the night.

Go over any logistics for the night prior to the start of gambling. Make sure everyone understands the rules and how things will operate. Introduce any key participants to the guests such as the person handling the money transactions, the caterer, bartenders, or waitresses.

If alcohol consumption causes guests to become obnoxious, they should be politely escorted from the event so as not to spoil it for the rest of the players.

Arrange for some type of transportation to take guests home who are too drunk to drive. Also make arrangements for how they can pick up their vehicle the next day.