‘Play money,’ not cash, will be in use

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

There will be casino games and those looking for a little bit of a thrill can hit the tables and play blackjack. Of course, the gambling will not be with actual money, but “play” money.

“There’s going to be poker, Texas Hold’em, roulette tables, money wheels, craps and blackjack,” said chamber board member Brian Berkery. “Even if you think you can’t keep up, the dealer will slow down and show you what they’re doing and they’ll teach you. There will be actual professional dealers working the whole night.”

Casino-goers will be given $500 in “chips,” Berkery said. The money can be used to win prizes. If someone were to lose all their chips, they can buy more. It’s 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 will be 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.

“During the day, there’s going to be a vendor fair of Long Beach vendors at the hotel as well,” Berkery said. “Downstairs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the mezzanine, there will be between 15 and 25 Long Beach vendors. It’ll be like the arts and crafts fair. All of them are strictly just Long Beach vendors, too.”

Along with the games and vendors, there will be an open bar and live music and a DJ throughout the evening.

There are limited tickets left, but Berkery said there is still the opportunity to buy. Tickets cost $100 before the event and $150 at the door, if still available.

“We’re starting to come up with different and more fun ideas to do,” Berkery said of the chamber. “We are all so busy all the time and we volunteer our extra time with the chamber. We wanted to come up with newer, fun ideas. So, we came up with Casino Night. Nobody’s doing it in town and it’s a brand-new idea.”