For many students participating in Casino Day in the Pope Student Center recently, the chance to gamble without losing their shirts was definitely a chance worth taking.

“The students are given ‘play money,’ and at the end of the day, they cash in that play money for raffle tickets that may lead to gift certificates to area restaurants,” says Director of Student Activities Director Garrett Burgner, who says that Casino Day is “always a very popular activity for students.”

Tony Franco, aged 21, who was clearly winning at his Black Jack table, attributes his “winnings” to having a day of “beginner’s luck.”

Learning the game for the first time.

But whether it’s beginner’s luck or acquired skill, “gambling” in a non-money exchanging environment is a good way to learn the ropes.

“We try to impress upon students that this is just a game,” says Jason Sumner, Event Manager for Interactive Attractions which brought Casino Day to Dalton State.

Jason Sumner pays out to a winning bid at roulette.

“Students need to learn that if they’re not having fun now when they’re playing with fake money, they’re really not going to have fun playing with real money in the future. It’s a way for them to test themselves, to see if they like gambling as a ‘game,’ or whether it’s likely to become a compulsive behavior, and maybe something they should avoid.”

The students at the Roulette and Black Jack tables seemed very content playing for “low stakes,” demonstrating that the real fun is in the competition itself.

“This ‘fake’ gambling really does sort of fill a desire,” Sumner says, noting that “Texas Hold’em is a big craze right now, and poker always has a niche.”

DSC student raising the bet during a Texas Hold'em match.

Gambling games are just one of the activities that Interactive Attractions sponsors, Sumner says, noting that the Atlanta-based agency provides entertainment-type events for college students, churches, fraternities, and corporations throughout Georgia and the southeast.