Casino / Gambling Night Recipes and Decoration Ideas

Throwing a theme party doesn’t need to be difficult and frustrating.

There are a number of different popular party themes, but the casino/gambling theme seems to be one of the most popular. It is obvious the types of games that can be played at such a party (roulette, poker, blackjack, dice games, etc.), but creating a menu can be a little more difficult. Below are a few recipes to help get the ball rolling, as well as a few decorating tips.

Poker-tater Chips

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, pepper, and paprika, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Toss potatoes with olive oil and spread in a thin layer on a cookie sheet.
3. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Bake about 20 minutes, until crispy.

Clams Casino Dip

Yield: 3 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

• 2-5 1/2 ounce cans chopped clams
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 4 tablespoons green pepper, chopped
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• Variety of snack crackers and chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix clams, cheeses, sour cream, garlic, and pepper; spoon into a 9-inch pie plate.
3. Combine butter, lemon juice, and bread crumbs; sprinkle over dip.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese melts.
5. Serve with snack crackers and chips.

Nevada Cocktail

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce rum
• 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
• 1/2 cup margarita mix
• Ice

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except ice; shake well.
2. Serve over ice in a cocktail glass.

Roulette Wheel Dessert Pizza

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 1-20 ounce package refrigerated cookie dough
• 3 cups dairy topping (like Cool Whip)
• 2 cups fruit (bananas, peaches, strawberries, grapes, or crushed pineapple)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Press the cookie dough evenly into a 12-inch pizza pan.
3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Place the cookie crust onto a plate. Place the plate onto a large cardboard circle, hand-painted to resemble a roulette wheel.
5. Spread dairy topping on the cookie crust.
6. Top with fruit of your choice.
7. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Decorative Touches

1. Costume food and beverage servers with dealers’ green visors, striped vests, and garter arm bands.
2. Create centerpieces of gambling equipment, such as miniature roulette wheels, slot machines, and bingo cages, combined with fake money and battery-operated lights.
3. Cover tables with green felt (or use green cloth, paper, or plastic).
4. Add decorative touches around the room with novelty casino items, such as big fuzzy dice and over-sized playing cards
5. Trim place cards or name tags with miniature playing cards, poker chips, bingo numbers, lottery tickets or scratchers.