All In: How to Throw the Ultimate Casino Theme Party
A casino theme party is so much fun and more versatile than you might think. It’s a great option for bridal showers, bachelor parties, themed birthday parties, and charity fundraisers. You can recreate that classic casino atmosphere and bring everyone together for an evening of games to celebrate a special moment or raise money for a good cause.
When you’re ready to stage the ultimate Vegas-like experience, be sure to check out these party ideas and top tips for throwing an amazing casino party.
Casino Theme Ideas and Party Decor Inspiration
The perfect casino theme party is full of atmosphere. Bet on these fun party themes and decor ideas for a surefire way to delight your guests.
Use Casino Color Schemes
When you think of casinos, chances are a few colors spring to mind. Don’t be afraid to go all out with the classic black, red, and white color scheme. Throw in plenty of green (it’s the color of money, after all) to balance things out and freshen up the space — it works great on table covers, balloons, and confetti.
Go Wild With a James Bond Theme
Celebrate the ultimate spy with a Bond-themed casino night. This is especially popular for charity galas — who could resist the air of mystery? Create the look with themed live music, a sophisticated dress code, and maybe even a cardboard cutout of the 007 agent himself. To invite your guests, customize this secret agent-inspired invitation.
Go Back to the Roaring Twenties
Transport your guests back to a time when gambling was prohibited — making it all the more thrilling. Recreate an atmospheric casino or an underground speakeasy with classic cocktails and games like craps and roulette. Ask your guests to don their best 20s attire for an evening of flappers, fun, and dancing.
Add a Touch of Whimsy
Your themed party doesn’t have to feel like a Las Vegas casino night. Create something splendidly whimsical with an Alice in Wonderland theme. Take inspiration from the Queen of Hearts and complement your casino games with a checkerboard floor and playing card suits galore. Don’t forget to stage a beautiful long table for your guests to dine at between games.
Lay Out a Red Carpet
Treat your guests to the ultimate VIP experience with a glamorous red carpet beneath a handmade casino sign. Add a velvet rope, a spotlight or two, and hire a photographer so they can make a truly A-list entrance. It’s sure to be the most exciting way to arrive at the party.
Style Your Tables to the Nines
You can have a lot of fun with your casino party decorations. Use playing cards and giant dice to add interest to your tables or create themed centerpieces. Add a giant balloon arch to style your entryway and decorate with streamers in traditional casino-inspired colors. Style your tables to match with themed tableware, glassware, and beverage napkins. You can easily buy casino party supplies online or create your own — like this playing card garland.
Fun and Games
Design: Claudia Owen
Party atmosphere is everything, but it’s often the games and activities that take center stage. Here are some activities to create an authentic casino experience at your event. Most of us won’t have a slot machine or two lying around, but you can often rent casino games and even hire staff to help you run the event.
Casino Table Games
What’s a casino night without table games? Some of the most-loved table games include blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. Set up a range of table games for your guests to enjoy, and have a quick and easy start sheet handy so they can learn the basics before they play.
Poker
Give your guests the opportunity to practice their poker face as they play against each other for the best hand. Poker can be confusing at times, so print out a useful guide so guests know whether their hand wins or not. Use a standard set of playing cards or have your own personalized version created just for your casino or poker party. Pass out play poker chips in only a handful of values, so things don’t get too complicated for your guests as the night goes on.
Slot Machines
It doesn’t get more Vegas than brightly colored slot machines. While you probably won’t want to bring in full-size machines, tabletop slot machines are the perfect way to add a “slot” of fun to your party. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun.) Match your slot machine rental to your party theme for an authentic experience — whether it’s vintage or more modern.
Bingo
Bring something a little more lighthearted to your casino-themed party with a few rounds of bingo. This is a great way to involve people that haven’t experienced casino games before, or want something a touch more relaxed. Make your bingo game feel more special by handing out personalized cards that match your party theme or celebrate the guest of honor’s interests.
Dominoes
While dominoes aren’t a traditional Vegas casino party game, they’re the perfect way to add more variety to your event. Like bingo, a game of dominoes can give your guests a slower-paced option amid the more fast-paced activities on offer. Play with a traditional dominoes set or head outside and play a giant version in your backyard.
Live Entertainers
Casinos aren’t all about table games and slot machines. The right entertainers can do a lot to create that perfect party atmosphere. If you have the budget, it’s worth hiring an professional or two to round out your event. Popular entertainers for a casino theme party include magicians, showgirls, DJs, and comedians. You could also hire a live band to play throughout the evening.
Photo Booth
Who doesn’t love a photo booth? It’s the perfect way to capture fond memories from your celebration. Rent a photo booth from an events company or create your own with a backdrop and a digital camera. Add plenty of themed casino photo booth props and you have everything you need for memorable shots.
Food and Drink
Every casino theme party needs a matching menu — one that gives your guests plenty of choices. Here are some winning ideas for your casino-themed bash.
Sophisticated Appetizers
Offer plenty of bite-sized delights as guests play a game of roulette or try their hand at poker. Hire a handful of servers, ask a few friends to pitch in, or play the role yourself to provide tray-passed appetizers. Keep it simple with cheese and crackers, easy finger foods, and savory classics like tiny salmon and cream cheese tarts.
Easy to Eat Buffet
Most casino parties are quite active and tend to favor a relaxed, grazing approach to eating rather than a formal sit-down meal. Create a buffet table with lots of tasty options including finger sandwiches, pretzels, nuts, salad, and charcuterie.
Casino-Themed Desserts
Even if you don’t opt for themed snacks, your dessert table is the perfect place to play around with your casino theme. Create your own DIY playing card cupcake toppers to add some visual styling to your desserts. Use icing to transform brownies into dominoes, and use filled cookies to recreate poker chips.
Jello Shots
Bring a solid party classic to your casino theme party with Jell-O shots. You won’t need more than a handful of ingredients to make these shots, and you can make them a few days ahead of time. They’re usually made with rum or vodka, but you can swap in your favorite liquor. Use food coloring to create shots that match your party theme, or layer them for some fun combinations.
Themed Cocktails
Cocktails are the ideal addition to your Vegas-style event — especially if they’re served to guests at tables by a waiter. Make sure classics like the old fashioned and margarita are on your menu, plus the vodka martini if you’re throwing a Bond-themed bash.
Put a fun twist on cocktails by renaming them to suit your theme — for example, the Queen of Hearts Bloody Mary or the Poker Face Mojito. Don’t forget to offer a matching set of mocktails for your non-drinking guests.
Everything Else
Design: Stacey Meacham Design, llc
That’s almost everything covered when it comes to throwing a casino theme party. Before you finalize everything though, here are a few things to consider:
Dress Code
Your casino party is the ideal opportunity for your guests to get all dressed up and feel glamorous. Think suits, black tie, and glitzy dresses. Let your guests know about your dress code when you send your digital invitations, so they have plenty of time to source the perfect outfit.
Party Favors
Don’t forget about your party favors! Send your guests home with a memento from your event that they can use over and over again. Personalized playing cards are an ideal choice, especially if your event raises funds for a charity you love or marks a special birthday (such as a 30th birthday, 40th birthday, or even 90th birthday). You could also include poker chips and a mini themed dessert like a cupcake, cheesecake, or cookie.
Licensing
It makes sense to consider whether you need any special permissions to host a casino theme party. The good news is that you don’t, as long as it isn’t a commercial event. To stick to the guidelines, make sure you offer play poker chips instead of real ones, and offer a prize instead of cash to the person with the most tokens or the most memorable plays.
Casino Party Invitations
All hyped up about your casino theme party? It’s time to invite your guests! We’ve gathered some of our favorite casino party invitations to help you spread the word.
Feeling Lucky?
Design: Bonjour Berry
This gorgeous casino party invitation features a foiled design with a modern color palette that’s perfect for your game night, birthday party, or bachelorette party. You could also customize it for a contemporary twist on an Alice in Wonderland themed event.
Fabulous Las Vegas
Design: Hooray Creative
Staging your celebration in the glittering city of Las Vegas? This Vegas invitation design is a fun way to break the news and share all the essential details. Hosting at home instead? Simply customize the text to let your guests know they’re in for a wonderful Vegas-themed party at your venue of choice.
Casino Royale
Design: Hooray Creative
If you’re hosting a decadent and sophisticated casino night party, this elegant invitation design is just the ticket. Let your guests know what they’re in for with plenty of space to mention your card games, table games, entertainers, and dress code.
All-In
Design: Olive and Me
Spread the word about your event with this casino night invitation. Like all online invitation designs, it’s easy to customize this one to match your celebration — whether it’s a special event to raise funds or a company social event.
Poker Chip
Design: Hooray Creative
Invite your guests to your themed bash with this poker chip invitation. Choose from three vibrant color options, or personalize it to match your party theme. Include all the basics on the front of this design, then use Greenvelope’s details panel to share everything your guests could ever want to know.
Stage an Unforgettable Casino Theme Party
It’s easy to throw a memorable casino theme party once you have the basic steps covered. Pick a party theme that matches your celebration and have fun with the decor. Select your favorite table games and party games, then create a menu to match with themed treats. Finish the experience with live music and entertainers and you have a casino theme party that truly hits the jackpot.
