For the past few days I have worked a shift at the Casino on behalf of a non-profit group that I am involved with. I have previously posted on "hooked on Casinos" where I maintain that non profit groups depend heavily on Casinos for funding.
In Alberta a nonprofit organization can be "given" a Casino to work at for two days. Over the two days thirteen people are required to cover all shifts. The two days will give about $25000 for the organization. My shifts started at 7:30 PM and ended about 2:30 AM. I find the work interesting as there's always something new to learn. Working with your team and the adviser is fun. The system set up to operate the tables is amazing for the sets of checks and balances that regulate the flow of cash and chips. Both nights we balanced exactly.
The casino consists of slot machines and gaming tables. Charitable groups work on the gaming table aspect of the casino operation. For gaming tables chips are used for the play. A player buys chips at the table to play the game. Somebody has to tightly control the cash and the chips. That's where we come in. Let's say the casino has $200000 in cash. They also the same value of chips. Groups provide a banker, manager, cashier and chip runner. An extremely capable advisor tells us exactly what to do. All this is done with computer transactions. I was a banker...the guy who looks after all cash and chips. When I start the previous banker transfers all chips and cash to me. I give the cashier about $10000 to pay people who bring chips for redemption. When more chips are needed at the tables I also fill out chip orders. The tables need more chips when players take their chips and cash them in. The banker gives the chips to a "chip runner" who takes the chips to a table that needs chips. The manager supervises and relieves other workers. So the operation works very smoothly under the expert advice of your advisor. At the end of my shift I had to balance the cash with the chips. An able advisor really makes you look good. Also at the end of my shift I trans fer all cash and chips that were in play to the count room which does the official count.
Now the group puts their time in so that they jump though some hoops to justify getting a bundle of money for the charity. Two and a half year later we get to do this all over again.
It sounds like a worthy cause and a fun experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fast and dirty way to raise funds for your organization.
ReplyDeleteHad lots of fun with you in the cage, Keith. Call me when you do the next one. I'll be there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help. It's really nice to work with someone who is confident in the cashier position.
DeleteHad lots of fun Keith. Call me when the next one pops up.
ReplyDeleteYes, I just need somebody to get two back to back 24's in crib to beat me. It was fun.
DeleteIt sounded like you had quite some nights there Red. It takes a lot of organisation to keep it running smooth :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't do the organization. The adviser tells everybody what to do. But you're right it does run smoothly.
DeleteIt sounded like you had a couple of interesting nights there Red ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a change from the usual night at home.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to use the money from the casino! Much better than being the ones playing the tables!
ReplyDeleteWhen casinos came in here that was one of the agreements made in order for them to be set up.
DeleteI never pictured you as a casino type, Red. But in the hopes of getting money for a charity, even I might be enticed into one! :-)
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
Your picture is right. I'm not a casino type. I've never put one dime into a slot. However , it's fascinating to see how the whole thing works.
ReplyDeleteRed good for you to be volunteering some of your time, it sounds like an interesting way to help out. In the past I worked bingo's to raise funds for our community league and raised funds for my children's sports through this league. They don't do this anymore, new govt. regulations... crazy or what? The cost to the parents has increased so how many children are now missing out on participating in sports because parents can't afford it? The organizations who are able to get their foot in the door to raise money are blessed and it's people like you who donate their time who make a huge difference. Good on ya (that means excellent job! See I'm learning Australian!)
ReplyDeleteThanks> I've done a lot of volunteering since I retired. I'm not sure how much it helped organizations, but it certainly was rewarding to me .
ReplyDeleteI think you will have picked up more "Australian " than you think. You'll find out when you get back.
I don't miss the smokey bingos.
that's rather neat to learn a bit of what goes on behind the scenes in a casino - and for the sake of charity. glad the casinos give back to the community in that way, because i'm sure they get their fair share and then some from the community.
ReplyDeleteThe casino gets far more than their share. Slots pay out only ten percent of money received. A small percentage of their take goes to charities. Tables pay out more.
ReplyDeleteWe need a casino over here! There are some in Colorado but not our neck of the woods!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Since casinos first have to be licensed and then are private businesses, they tend to set up in a place that will yield a good profit. Now I think they are just a license to print money.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great way for an organization to get some funds..
ReplyDeleteYes ! It's fast and dirty. We get around $25000
DeleteI have never been in a Casino and probably never will be in one, however; it is really neat to learn a bit about the lingo and the goins' on. Nice that you put in this time and do so well for charity - good for you Red - that is just darn nice that so many people give up their time to help their community. I am kinda glad we are not near a casino - I think of all the money people lose there. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteI have never gambled and I don't intend to. The odds are against you.
DeleteYour help is very much appreciated - and all the others that helped. I'm sure it will be put to good use!
ReplyDeleteThings went well. We've already been signed up for our next casino.
DeleteWhat a wonderfully innovative idea. I have never heard of this approach to raising money for charity before. It certainly makes a change from the endless round of sponsored walks and runs.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of those political arrangements when casinos were first licensed here.
ReplyDelete