A Cabaret Casino can be used in many ways. As a fund raiser, an after dinner entertainment or to promote a product or service. You may decide to combine a promotion with a charity event and give your guests a small amount of Cabaret money to start them off, with the option to buy more and the money going directly to charity. Whichever way to decide, our staff will be only too happy to assist you. There are many variations, but to help you we outline the two basic ways.

RAISING FUNDS FOR A CHARITY

The cost of the casino should be incorporated in the ticket money, as you would the cost of a band or disco. Any money which is raised directly from the gaming tables will go direct to the charity. You will need at least three prizes, these may have been donated. They can range from cuddly toys, champagne, through to television sets and holidays. Perhaps a booby prize for the best loser. A good way of keeping 'low' winners interested is to seal a pre-determined low number in an envelope. Whoever registers the amount closest to that number wins a prize. You may decide to give your guests chips to start them off. While in some cases this is a good idea, it is unsuitable where a large amount of people is expected, i.e. over 150. The ratio of tables to guests to playing time must be considered. Our gaming director will be happy to advise you. We suggest you man your own cash desk. A small table set up in the casino room where one or two of your personnel can exchange real money for Cabaret money. Should this not be possible please inform us.

AFTER DINNER ENTERTAINMENT

From small dinner parties to large banqueting events a Cabaret Casino is an ideal way to entertain your guests. You hire us as you would a disco or band. Depending on how many people to the tables your budget can allow, will decide the amount of Cabaret money you give each guest.

A good guide is as follows:-

• One table 25 guests £100.00

• One table 50 guests £50.00

• One table 75 guests £25.00

Therefore:-

• Two tables 25 guests £200.00

• Six tables 300 guests £25.00

Remember the gaming director will be happy to advise you. It really does depend on the ratio of people to tables by playing time. All the chips on the tables are £1 denominations unless stamped with their denomination i.e. £5, £10, £25 and so on. This can be altered, but everyone usually relates to pounds and it makes calculation at the end of the gaming easier. Should your guests run out of money, they will be able to return to the 'cash desk' where their name is taken and a further advance of Cabaret money issued. This amount will be deducted from their total winnings at the end of play. Charging interest on borrowed money can be fun, with a prize for the loser. At the end of the event the guests are asked to return their winnings to the 'cash desk'. Their name and the amount they hold will be taken. The winners are those who have turned their initial stake into the largest amount. The prizes can be directly related to the product or company involved. The choice of prizes is up to the organiser. For some company casino events, teams may be formed. A team leader is given 'x' amount of chips to be divided between his crew. At the end of the session it is the team who holds the highest amount that wins. This can be great fun for inter-departmental/regional competitions. These are only intended to be guide lines and we are always happy to discuss your requirements with you.

As a rule, all the gaming chips on the tables are valued at £1, unless the denomination is printed on them, i.e., £5, £10 and so on. You may give an 'exchange rate' at the cash desk. For example, £1 of real money buys £5 of Cabaret money. The 'exchange rate' can be decided to suit your guests' 'pockets'. A higher rate for student events while perhaps two to one for the more prosperous. Set your rate at the beginning of the event and have posters stating the exchange you are giving. By keeping the chips on the tables at £1 it will make it easier for your guests to calculate how much they are winning or losing, everyone can relate to £'s. After exchanging real money for Cabaret money your guests take it to the tables of their choice and exchange it
for chips. This allows the croupier to control the game and limit or extend the amount of people playing. It is important to explain to your guests how the casino is to be operated. The charity or fund that is receiving the money could have a representative present. Also needed is a poster stating the prizes that are on offer, the times that the casino is operating, remember most events run late! and a notice telling your guests to register their winnings
at the 'cash point'. At the end of the gaming period, which we recommend be two to four hours, the last three spins/hands are called. The croupiers will try and exchange smaller amounts of chips for large denominations to make it easier at the cash desk for calculating total winnings. A croupier will help to
count the chips at the desk if asked. The name of each guest is noted along with the amount they have accumulated and, the winner is decided by the person totalling the highest amount of money. Regardless of the amount they have bought in for, it does not follow that the person who bought the most chips will win the prize. In most cases it is someone who has been extremely lucky! It is worth remembering to keep the amount the winners held secret just in case a mistake has been made. The announcement could be made like this; "With over £4,000 our winner this evening is Mr Brown.". These are only intended to be guide lines. You may have ideas of your own and we are always happy to discuss your requirements and ensure you have a successful casino.

LEGAL ASPECT

Lotteries & Amusements Act 1976 A Cabaret Casino conforms to the rules and regulations set out in the above act. We have been advised that it can be
classed as an amusement with prizes as defined under section 15 of the act as long as the guide lines below are adhered to.

1. It should not be the sole or major inducement for people to attend the event. Entrance must be by invite or pre-paid ticket only. No admission money taken on the door and no separate admission money taken for the casino room.

2. Only invited or bona fide members can attend.

3. Advertising should be restricted to the venue/club premises and venue/club/company literature. However, if included as one of other activities, the mention can be made in advertisements designed to reach a wider audience.

4. The word casino must be preceded with the words FUN, PRIZE or CHARITY e.g. Fun Casino; and should not be the first or only activity mentioned e.g. Dance, The... Big Band. Disco, Raffle, Prize Casino. 5. No one person must gain monetary wise from the gaming.

If in any doubt then do contact your solicitor or our office for any help or assistance in any aspect of your event.

Charity Casinos VAT

We have been advised by the VAT department that under the new legislation regarding VAT, the VAT must still be paid on Fun Casinos as they are regarded as an entertainment not a service.