Frequently Asked Questions

Metro Casino Events is the DC metro area's premier casino party rental company, serving Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC. We deliver fully staffed casino nights to corporate events, fundraisers, holiday parties, weddings, and private celebrations. Every booking includes delivery to your venue, full table setup, professional dealers, regulation casino equipment, chips, fun bucks, and complete teardown at the close of the event. All games are played with fun money only - no real wagering of any kind, ever. We are licensed by the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board.

Our standard package is built around three hours of dealing time. If your event includes a seated dinner, speeches, or awards, we suggest scheduling your dealing time around those - opening after the formal dinner or program concludes. Our rates are based on consecutive dealing hours as it is not recommended that you split or divide the dealing period; this disrupts the energy on the casino floor. Extended dealing periods are available for an additional fee. Contact Metro Casino staff if you have questions about how to best integrate the casino into your event flow.

For most events, 4-8 weeks in advance is sufficient. Holiday season events - November through January - should be booked 3-6 months ahead as popular weekend dates fill quickly, and a minimum of five tables applies. To confirm your date, we require a signed contract and a deposit of 50% of the total within two weeks of signing. The balance is due before or on the day of the event.

Cancellation 45 or more days before the event: deposit forfeited but may be applied to a rescheduled event within the same calendar year. Cancellation 15-44 days before: deposit forfeited. Cancellation 14 days or less: deposit plus 50% of the remaining balance is owed. All cancellations must be made in writing. Changes within 7 days of the event are subject to a $250 change fee and availability.

We offer three end-of-night formats. Standard: dealers call last hand 10-15 minutes before dealing ends, collect chips, and play concludes - best for events without a prize component and must meet the 50% playing minimum. Big winner: at the conclusion of dealing, the top chip holder at each table receives a ticket with their name and chip count; the guest in this group with the highest chip count is the "big winner". Raffle: $1,000 in chips converts to one double-sided raffle ticket; guests keep one half, the other goes in a prize bowl; your representative draws winners. Metro Casino manages all chip collection and ticket distribution - you provide the prizes and conduct the drawing.

Dealer mode is set based on your event goals. Tight mode - used for fundraising events - means dealers play by strict casino rules, keeping games moving quickly and creating natural re-buy opportunities throughout the evening, which maximizes donation revenue. Loose mode - used for corporate parties and celebrations - means dealers are more relaxed and guests stay in games longer for maximum fun. You choose the mode when booking; our dealers deliver it precisely.

Absolutely. Every Metro Casino Events dealer is trained to explain any game from scratch in plain language. First-time players are welcomed at every table and guided through each hand. Roulette and Blackjack are the easiest starting points for new players. For larger events, consider adding a beginner game such as a Money Wheel, Chuck-a-Luck or Red Dog to give new players a place to start. Our dealers adjust their pace and teaching style to the table - patient with beginners, engaging for experienced players simultaneously. No guest needs to feel intimidated or left out.

Metro Casino Events offers a wide variety of casino games, including classics such as Blackjack, Hold 'Em Poker, Roulette, Craps; poker varieties such as 3-Card, Pai Gow, Hold 'Em Bonus, Caribbean Stud, Let it Ride and more; plus options for hi roller games like baccarat and several options for beginners including Money Wheel and Chuck-a-Luck. Most games play 7-8 guests with larger craps tables accommodating up to 16. See our Games page for more detailed information. Our Derby Dash Horse Racing setup supports unlimited players, making it an ideal choice for larger events where everyone wants to join in the fun.

Guests make a donation in exchange for a fun buck, which they use at any table for a $1,000 chip stack. Every fun buck is a direct donation to your organization. The primary revenue engine is re-buys - when guests run out of chips, they can donate again for another fun buck. Our dealers operate in fundraising mode, playing by strict casino rules that keep chips turning over and re-buy opportunities active all evening. The casino also keeps guests at your event longer and available for your live auction, silent auction, and paddle raise. Metro Casino handles all casino logistics, so your team stays focused entirely on your donors and your mission. Read the complete fundraiser guide for planning details.

Yes - and we do this regularly. Metro Casino Events provides casino entertainment for formal fundraising galas where the organization's program, branding, and mission remain the centerpiece. The casino opens after the formal program concludes, creating a second act that extends guest engagement and giving. Guests donate for fun money, reinforcing the fundraising purpose, play for entertainment, and re-buy throughout the evening - all without the event ever losing its formal character. We describe it to clients as an interactive entertainment extension, not a Las Vegas night.

Yes. Casino fundraising events using fun money are legal for nonprofits, schools, churches, and charitable organizations in Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Metro Casino Events is licensed by the DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board. Review our licensing information → before comparing providers. No real wagering occurs at any Metro Casino Events event - ever. We strongly recommend confirming any specific local permit requirements with your organization's legal counsel, as requirements can vary by county and municipality. If you are approached by any provider offering real-money casino events, decline immediately - the legal exposure for a nonprofit is significant.

Your responsibilities are simple: sign the contract, make timely payments, introduce our crew to your venue contact, and have a client representative present the night of the event. Metro Casino handles everything else: delivery, full setup, all dealer staffing and management, fun buck distribution, chip management throughout the evening, chip collection at close, and complete teardown. At least three days before your event you will receive a confirmation with your lead dealer's name, crew arrival time, and all logistical details.

We accept cash, check, Visa, and Mastercard. American Express and Discover are not accepted. Credit card payments are subject to a 3.9% processing fee. Deposits are due within two weeks of the signed contract; the balance is due before or on the day of the event.

Yes. Metro Casino Events works with hotel ballrooms, corporate headquarters, golf clubs, event halls, country clubs, private estates, and tented outdoor venues throughout the DC metro area. We coordinate directly with your venue contact on load-in timing, space layout, power requirements, and setup access. We are committed to complete setup 30 minutes before dealing begins. If your venue requires setup before guests arrive or has restricted access windows, we accommodate that through our planning process.

Metro Casino Events offers a number of enhancements that will bring your event to the next level. Liven up the party with a deejay or karaoke, book a skilled bartender or server if your venue does not offer them, or add a photo kiosk or custom gaming guide for a guest keepsake. See our Services page for more detailed information on all enhancement options.

Yes - if your venue requires Metro Casino Events to be named on a Certificate of Insurance, we can provide one for you. Please notify us of this requirement during planning, not the week of the event. Dealer and delivery vehicle parking fees are covered by the client and dealer gratuity is automatically applied to larger events or events booked during the holidays. Other potential fees: early setup or late tear ONLY if these are required outside of our 30-minute buffer; a difficult venue surcharge, starting at $250, for venues with especially challenging load-in requirements. All applicable fees are discussed and agreed upon during the planning process - nothing is added as a surprise. Use the Price Estimator for a general package range.

Three ways: Use the quote journey on metrocasinoevents.com - it takes about five minutes and produces a complete package recommendation based on your guest count, event type, and timing. Chat with our AI planning assistant on the website - available 24/7 to answer questions and help you think through your options. Or call 877.750.6387 to speak directly with our team - we respond to all inquiries within one business day and are happy to walk through everything with you personally.