In Michigan, there are several ways for charities / nonprofits to host a “Casino Night / Las Vegas Party”, a fundraising event with a “casino theme.” They can host a state-licensed “millionaire’s party,” work with a local charity poker room, or produce their own casino-themed fundraiser or gala event.
1. Organize your own event
If your group is a registered charity (i.e. 501 (c) 3 or with a similar charitable designation), you can apply to the state for a license to host a millionaires party (this license will allow you to host a Texas Hold ‘celebration). Em Poker Tournament too), similar to what can be seen at summer festivals and events that take place in many churches across the state. These events are like entering a “real casino”, where your guests bought their chips, played the various games and then, at the end, “cashed in” their chips for money, exchanging them for prizes, and so on.
There is a registration fee of fifty dollars ($ 50.00) per day for this license and you can obtain a valid license for up to four consecutive days. Your group can obtain up to four (4) of these licenses per calendar year. To get this license, there is a large amount of paperwork that needs to be completed and then more post-event paperwork that needs to be sent to the state as well. You should start your license application process as soon as possible, as the State is telling people that they must allow at least six (6) to eight (8) weeks for the processing of their application. And since you must have your license number on all brochures and other promotional materials, you should not advertise your event until you have your license. In addition, you must follow all state rules and regulations related to running this event.
The key to making this a successful fundraising event is that you need your group members and supporters to show up, take part in the games, and lose money on the games. The more money they lose, the more money their group will make.
You can visit the state website (see website address in Section 2 below) for more information on how to host your event, obtain your license application, and a list of licensed equipment providers.
2. Work with a local charity poker room
Due to the current popularity of playing Texas Hold ‘Em Poker on television, many Charity Poker rooms have opened throughout the state in recent years. Many of these rooms have become so popular and have such a following that they are now open seven nights a week.
If there are charity poker rooms in your area, you may want to check them out. If your group qualifies for a state license, you may want to consider working with them rather than hosting your own event. You will still need to follow all of these state rules and regulations related to running your event, but the Hall will be able to assist you through this process.
The key reason for working with these Charity Poker Rooms is that you really don’t have to worry about your group members and supporters showing up to this type of event for it to be successful.
Now comes a paradigm shift … your members and supporters don’t really have to show up at this fundraiser for it to be successful! If Charity Poker Rooms is a well established charity poker room, they will have a group of loyal poker players showing up and playing, no matter who the charity is. Groups that work with these established charity poker rooms can generally expect to earn between $ 1,000 and $ 4,000 for every four (4) days of run, which is not such a bad return on their investment of $ 200 for their license.
Again, you can visit the state website (http://www.michigan.gov/cg/0,4547,7-111-35016—,00.html) for more information on how to run your event and get your license application.
3. Host a Casino Night / Las Vegas themed party or gala event
Similar to having a traditional “dinner / dance, fundraiser”, instead of having the dance as featured entertainment for your fundraiser / gala, you would have games “just for fun”.
Your guests would pay an admission price to attend your event / gala, and for that, they would receive some type of snack, one (1) entrance ticket, a predetermined amount of fries or “fun money” and the opportunity to participate in game entertainment “just fun”.
Then, at the end of the event, your guests would convert all of your “winnings” into additional tickets for entry prizes, and you would have raffles for various entry prizes (and hopefully all of these prizes would have been donated to your group).
The key to remember here is that since the chips have no monetary value and you cannot “buy” additional chips, this is not a “real game” (remember this is a “just for fun” game) and therefore , a state license is not required.
Also, with this type of event you will want to keep the focus on having fun and not on who has won the most. Remember that with everyone’s admission to your event, they received one (1) entry ticket, so one person could attend your event, not participate in any of the games, but could still walk away with an entry prize to the final.
And like any traditional fundraising event your organization may host, you can determine how much profit this event will generate, since you already know all of your fixed costs (i.e., snacks / food, gaming equipment rental, required earnings. per person etc), just set the admission price appropriately. In addition, you will be able to take advantage of various additional fundraising opportunities at your event, such as the sale of game table sponsorships, the sale of special drinks at the event, etc.
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