» Guide

How to have a successful Casino Night Fundraiser

A casino fundraiser is fun, exciting and can be very profitable. This event will provide your guests with the opportunity to have a great time gambling and a shot at winning fantastic prizes. Your organization may select prizes that range from assorted baskets, dinners and sports memorabilia to weekend getaways and more.

Guests are generally charged between $40 and $100 per person for admission and receive $100 in play money at the door before proceeding to the casino tables of their choice. The dealers will give them chips to play with at the tables in exchange for play money. The casino playing time is usually three hours and chips and play money are converted into double-sided raffle tickets at the end of the casino time.

There are legalities that must be adhered to in partnership with the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) of New Jersey, including required registration and paperwork. The LGCCC is located in Newark, NJ and can be contacted at (973) 273-8000. Your fundraiser must also be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

If you have ever had a game of chance, raffle, 50-50 or bingo, you should already be registered. After your fundraiser has been contracted with Events Plus, your organization will be issued a LGCCC Form 13, which needs to be submitted to the town where you will be hosting the event. The town will submit your fundraiser to its council for approval and may require a fee. After approval from the town, approval will be required from the State of New Jersey. It is suggested that you give about six to eight weeks for this approval process to be complete.

Casino Fundraiser Guidelines

Since the purpose of your event is to make a profit, take time considering your admission price per guest. The admission price should cover your costs and then be increased at your discretion for an increased profit.

Other ways to alleviate costs are advertisements and table sponsorships. For example, a local pizzeria, retail store or family could sponsor a table for the night. Their sponsorship would be advertised through displays and table signs. Sponsors could also be given free space in the ad journal. A large number of sponsorships will alleviate casino costs and generate more revenue. Other ways to do this are 50/50s, silent auctions and the selling of play money throughout the event.

The event should begin at least thirty minutes prior to the start of the casino. As guests enter we recommend giving them $100 in play money, which gives them at a minimum twenty $5 bets. By giving them only $100, it increases your chances of selling more play money at the event.

In the past, other organizations have used the following conversions:
$20 real money for $100 play money
$40 real money for $200 play money
$50 real money for $300 play money
Play money comes in $100 denomination ONLY
The chip denominations are "Standard Casino Colors" and all are quality 11.5 grams.
Red chips $5
Green chips $25
Black chips $100

Be sure to have a cashier booth or area where guests can redeem chips and tickets. We recommend the trade-in value for $100 in play money to be 1 double-sided raffle ticket. This trade will alleviate the chaos of too many tickets and will typically increase the number of guests purchasing additional play money.

While the LGCCC does not allow cash, firearms or liquor to be given out as prizes, there are limitless possibilities otherwise. For example, televisions, CD players, and gift certificates (that are not redeemable for cash) may be used. We recommend the provided double-sided raffle tickets for the redemption of prizes. The guest keeps one side of each ticket and the places the other side in a jar or box beside their prize of choice.

When planning your event keep in mind that waitered food or a buffet is suggested, as we do not recommend sit-down dinners.