When it’s a bad idea to hire Casino games and Entertainment
Hello bookers and planners,
Today I got off a call with a potential client who was looking for a magician but had very little to zero budget. This is what the inquiry looked like:
Details: This is an event at an Independent Seniors Residence celebrating the 10th anniversary of our residence.
We are having a Casino Royale themed event and I would like to have someone that can walk around and entertain residents that don't want to gamble.
Today, we will break down why Casino games is NOT the choice for your entertainment in Vancouver.
1. High Cost and Budget Concerns
This picture is clearly an advertisement.
Your event has people really just sitting around bored and not engaged.
Does a Casino night really feel like the picture on the left?
Expense vs. Value: Casino game rentals can be surprisingly expensive, often costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For many event planners, this cost might not justify the limited benefit, especially if it doesn't cater to the entire guest list. Only 30-40% of the guests actually gamble so the spend per head just makes is unaffordable.
Lets use the example of 100 people. Casino games range from 1-5k. With the middle ground at 3k / 30-40 people, that’s $75.00 per head
Hidden Costs: Beyond the rental fee, there might be additional costs for setup, staff, or even damage waivers, which can further strain the budget. My real life example is a senior living home, so it’s clear that they blew all their budget on the Casino.
2. Limited Appeal
Niche Activity: Casino games might only appeal to a small portion of the guests. Not everyone enjoys gambling, so the activity could end up being a hit or miss.
On the phone, they told me they had a band last year that was conflicting with the Casino tables. So you have two scenarios that could potentially happen here. A band playing Loud music with empty casino tables with dealers getting paid on YOUR dollar to sit and do nothing,
or a band who’s playing music distracting the Casino players while they are trying to play their games.Lack of Inclusivity: If only 40 percent of the guests are interested in gambling, the remaining 60 percent might be left without engaging entertainment options, potentially making them feel left out.
3. Low Social Interaction
Isolated Experience: Gambling often involves individual play rather than group interaction. Guests may become absorbed in their games, reducing opportunities for mingling and socializing. This is a 10th anniversary and celebrations should be about connection which this is the opposite of.
Distraction from Main Event: If the focus shifts to the casino games, it might detract from other planned activities or the overall purpose of the event.
4. Event Atmosphere and Flow
Mismatch with Event Theme: Casino games may not always align with the theme or mood of the event. For example, a formal wedding or a corporate seminar might not be the ideal setting for a casino night.
Disruption of Flow: Setting up and managing casino games can be a logistical challenge, potentially disrupting the flow of the event and causing delays and just adding more cost.
5. Regulatory and Legal Considerations
Legal Restrictions: In some locations, there may be legal restrictions or licensing requirements for hosting casino-style games, which can add complexity and potential legal risks.
Ethical Concerns: Some guests might have concerns about gambling or find it ethically questionable, which could impact their enjoyment of the event. While it’s not a real casino, we are encouraging the activity and there are definitely real casino’s around the city of Vancouver that people can go to after.
6. Alternative Entertainment Options
Kel - Modern Magic - I’m only writing this blog because as a full end-to-end service, we have so many better ways to engage the crowd with high impact and impossible magic and so many more. Casino tables are great as an added activation, it will never be the highlight of your event. Learn more about me at www.kelvinngmagic.com
