Send out invitations in the shape of a heart, a diamond, a spade or a club. When decorating your party space, simple favors can do far more then you expect. Pick up dice and poker chips from your local store. Throw a green tablecloth over your table and simply scatter the chips and dice around. Add glitter or confetti to spice things up an extra notch.

You might not be able to bring the neon lights of Vegas to your living room, but think what you can do. A few colored light bulbs, such as red, can change the feel of the entire room. A personalized banner with something such as your name turned casino can be fun as well.

Casino theme games can range from the old standards such as black jack and poker to anything as feisty as a rented roulette wheel. Bingo can always be a crowd favorite as well, and easy for guests of any age to play.

Whether you serve punch to mixed drinks or champagne, make things official with a cocktail waitress. This not only gives things the casino feel, but the “waitress” can also help keep people mingling or moving from game to game.

Casino night can be a great way to celebrate many occasions, anything from a 40th birthday party to an excuse for friends to gather. One last possibility would be charity. If your guests gamble and lose real money, it could all go towards a good cause. Most importantly, have a great time no matter what your reason.

By: Gail Leino