A casino-themed party is a great way to gamble and place bets without having to lose much at a casino. When you host a casino-inspired party, you can have control over where the money goes, whether to a good cause or for your own enjoyment. What is also great about a casino-themed party is that it is a great fundraising idea. You can get the community or your office colleagues to give to a good cause while having fun at the same time.
The to-do list for the casino party
Advance planning: at least 2 months before the casino party
You need to set aside plenty of time to organize and plan your casino-inspired party. You may have to hire a dealer or even rent the gaming tables, so you need to book well in advance.
- Determine your budget. As with any event or celebration you host, knowing how much you can spend ensures you are not wasting your hard-earned money on something you can do without.
- Create your guest list. Part of budgeting and planning the venue is knowing how many people you are inviting to the party. You don't want your guests to feel uncomfortable in a crowded space.
- Secure the venue. The sooner you secure your venue, the better your chances of getting first dibs, as well as early booking discounts. If you have a large den or backyard, it is easier to plan your layout and decorations.
- Settle on the date. A great day to host a casino-themed party is a weekend, probably after payday so people have money to spend.
Planning the details: 1.5 months before the party
After clarifying the basic details of the event, it is time to take care of some of the important elements of planning your party.
- Decide which games to play. Choose something most of your guests know, as well as some easy-to-learn games. Make a list of a few games so you can have options for everyone.
- Hiring the dealers. It would be great if you have set aside a budget to "rent" or hire a professional dealer for the day. Look for local casinos and party rental venues to see if they know of any dealers you can hire for a few hours. Or you can start learning how to deal, or ask an expert friend for a simpler version for the party.
- Rent your gaming tables. If you are hiring a professional dealer, why not rent a gaming table to make it even more realistic? But if you have a limited budget, then a regular table, perhaps with a printed image of the gaming table on a tarp, will do.
Planning the details: 2 weeks before the party.
Only a few weeks to go until the party. It is time to get down to the finer details of the party.
- Invitations Now is the time to send the invitations to your guest list. Save money by using an old deck of cards and simple cardstock.
- Decorations Arrange your gaming tables in a way that looks like a casino floor. If you are using simple tables, dress them with a green felt tablecloth (or the printed tarp suggestions) for an authentic casino feel. You can also rent or make a neon sign that says "Place your bets" or "Good luck". Use glow sticks or LED lights .
- Food and drinks. To keep guests from going hungry but still have the use of both hands, serve finger food. It is easy to eat and pairs well with alcoholic drinks. Beer, punch and water are great drinks for casino nights. If you can afford to hire a bartender, then it is a good idea to buy your alcoholic mixers at the liquor store.
- Favors. Don't forget to give your guests casino party favors as a "thank you" gift for making your party memorable.