Rolling the dice for local businesses

Casino gambling isn’t coming to Long Beach like it is to Uniondale, but the city’s Chamber of Commerce last Saturday hosted a form of sport, using “play” money in a first for the barrier island, at the rooftop of the Allegria Hotel.

“This is, without a doubt, the best spot in all of Long Beach,” chamber member Brian Berkery said of the Allegria. “When we thought to put this together, I said there is only one choice — the Allegria Hotel.”

Over 100 people made their way upstairs where the room was filled with food, drinks, games, prizes and a DJ supplying music throughout the night.

“We’re sold out,” Berkery said during the event. “It’s something different. Nobody else in Long Beach is doing this. Normally it would just be food and music and some drinks, but we added the casino to it, which makes it that much more exciting.”

There was a handful of casino games for those looking for a little bit of a thrill. Of course, the gambling was not with actual money, but “play” money.

There was poker, Texas Hold’em, roulette tables, money wheels, craps and blackjack. “Even if you think you can’t keep up, the dealers here actually slow down and show you what they’re doing and they teach you,” Berkery said.

All of the dealers and workers were professional casino game dealers.

Casino-goers were given $500 in “chips,” which everyone used to bet on the games they played. If someone were to lose all their chips, they could have bought more. It was all deemed a donation, so it goes right back to the chamber to help businesses.

At the end of the night, you cash in your chips for tickets to win prizes. There were a few options, such as gift baskets that can be entered for a 50/50 raffle where half of the money benefits the chamber and the Long Beach Lions Club, and other raffles for memorabilia and experiences, such as a trip to a vineyard.

Prizes also included signed movie posters, sports photos and memorabilia, such as jerseys, a television and much more.

During the day, from 1 to 5 p.m. and before the casino night kicked off, there was a vendor fair of Long Beach vendors at the hotel as well. In the hotel’s mezzanine, there were about 20 Long Beach vendors, much like the city’s arts and crafts fairs.

“Today was all about community,” said Kelly Palfi, the event organizer. “We had a community, Long Beach-only vendor fair downstairs. We had a very, very nice Long Beach community turnout to support the chamber and a major hotel venue.”