“A good rule of thumb is to have enough tables so that half the guests can play at any one time. “Organizations tend to underestimate the number of tables,” says Michael Magee, president of Casino Party Aces in Raleigh, N.C. Dos and Don’tsĭon’t skimp on game tables. Be sure to have enough helpers so they can rotate out to enjoy the games themselves. You will need plenty of volunteers, especially if you plan to make the food yourselves. Make the event special with casino-themed decorations (check your local party and dollar stores), music (hire a DJ or recruit a parent), and food (hire a caterer or do it yourself to save money). Promote the event as a night out for parents, and encourage them to dress up.

“This is not something you can throw together.” “Start way ahead of time,” says Tanya Brooks, president of the Holland Township PTO in Milford, N.J. If you will be asking businesses for donations, give them at least six months of lead time and avoid approaching them during the holidays, when they will be besieged with requests. Start planning at least nine months ahead of time, especially if you have to secure permits. Many casino nights include an auction, as well. The evening also includes food, drinks (if allowed), and music. At the end of the evening, the chips might be exchanged for raffle tickets.

If attendees run out, they can purchase more. The ticket price usually includes a certain number of chips to play with. “The dealers we hired were so good, so professional, and they helped people out,” says Joy Klineberg, who chaired the PTA casino night at Robert E. If you have knowledgeable gamblers among your parents, you can run the event yourself, but most groups feel that the cost of bringing in professionals is well worth it. Typically, parent groups sell tickets in advance for a Las Vegas-style evening of games like blackjack, poker, craps, Texas Hold’em, and roulette run by dealers from a company specializing in this type of event. Casino nights take careful preparation, and you need to be familiar with the legal restrictions in your area.

Running a casino night fundraiser