Oceanside Lutheran Church brought a taste of Las Vegas to the community April 25, hosting a casino night designed to blend entertainment with fellowship.
The event featured classic casino games — including roulette, craps, blackjack, Texas Hold’em and slot-style machines — along with chips, cards and prize opportunities. Organizers partnered with Casino Party 4U, a company that supplied gaming tables, equipment and dealers, allowing church volunteers to focus on hospitality, food and raffles.
Peter Cuccio, president of Oceanside Lutheran Church, said the idea for casino night first emerged a few years ago as leaders looked for creative ways to bring people together.
“We were thinking of different ideas to get people together and have fun,” Cuccio said. “We don’t like to do anything where people are winning money, but we heard about casino nights where prizes are donated, and it’s just a fun experience.”
The church has now hosted the event twice in the past two years. While it can generate some financial benefit through admission and sponsorships, Cuccio emphasized that fundraising is not the primary goal.
“It’s really about getting our name out there and making sure people know we’re here,” he said. “If we benefit financially, that’s a win because we’re a small church, but the focus is on bringing people together.”
Attendance for this year’s event was modest, with about 50 to 60 participants, but organizers considered it a success. Cuccio said feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Everybody that comes seems to have a really good time,” he said. “We haven’t heard anything negative. It’s all just fun.”
Planning the event involves a mix of outside coordination and in-house effort. While the casino company handles gaming logistics, church members organize food, beverages and raffles, and seek sponsorships to offset costs. Volunteers also manage setup and promotion.
Cuccio acknowledged that hosting a casino-themed event in a church setting can raise concerns, but said organizers are mindful of maintaining a responsible and lighthearted atmosphere.
“As long as no one’s spending their rent money, it’s OK,” he said. “It’s about enjoying the experience.”
Looking ahead, the church hopes to continue the tradition as an annual event, provided community response remains supportive.
“We want people to know that we’re here, and we do things a little differently,” Cuccio said. “It’s not just about church — it’s about connecting with the community and having fun together.”
