Chaminade University students gathered Wednesday night for Casino Night, a campus gathering of games, food, prizes, and a much-needed break from end-of-semester pressures. Hosted by the Chaminade Student Government Association in collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement, Casino Night transformed the space into a buzzing arcade of blackjack, roulette, bingo, and texas hold ’em, giving students a chance to unwind in a lively, low-stakes setting.
Jasmine Mondelo, a senior majoring in accounting and business administration and president of the Chaminade Student Government Association, said the idea to revive Casino Night came from past years of successful casino-themed gatherings on campus. She said the night has consistently been popular and felt worth bringing back this semester.
“It’s a great opportunity for the community, just for people to come together, play games with friends, win free stuff, and eat good food,” Mondelo said. She added that Casino Night’s mix of friendly competition and social time makes it appealing outside the classroom.
With only a few weeks left in the semester, Mondelo said the timing was critical. Between projects, presentations, and final exams, students often find themselves overwhelmed; Casino Night offered a pause before demands peak and served as a lighthearted way to loosen up ahead of finals week beginning on Dec. 8th through Dec. 11.
“The central theme is community and relaxing together, especially at this point in the year,” Mondelo said.
CSGA’s student life vice president, Ckloe Jhancel Alarcon, led the planning and had been organizing the night for two to three weeks, Mondelo said. While the Chaminade Student Government handled logistics and coordination, the Office of Student Engagement helped secure game tables, food, and decorations that set the tone for the evening.
This semester’s Casino Night had an expected turnout of around 30 and 40 people based on past gatherings. Organizers aimed for a relaxed but energetic crowd that could move between tables, mingle, and enjoy the night at their own pace.
One purpose of Casino Night, Mondelo emphasized, was to make student leaders more approachable. Many students are unfamiliar with what the student government does beyond announcements, she said, and the night offered an opportunity to break down barriers.
“A lot of people don’t really know much about student government,” Mondelo said. “We want students to see that we’re not intimidating and that we’re also students who want to have fun together and help build connections on campus.”
Throughout the evening, players cheered as they learned new games and tried their luck collecting tickets. Prizes ranged from Chaminade merchandise to gift cards, adding incentive to keep playing and circulating among tables.
For many attendees, the appeal was simply the chance to have fun without financial risk. Holly Dolny, a sophomore majoring in psychology who attended her first Casino Night, said the evening exceeded her expectations.
“I’ve never played blackjack before, so it was fun trying it without worrying about losing money,” Dolny said. “The atmosphere is super chill, and it’s cool seeing people from different majors and grades hanging out together.”
Mondelo said whether Casino Night returns will depend on next year’s leadership, but she believes a successful turnout would make a strong case.
“If it really goes beyond our expectations, then yes, I feel like it can come back as an annual event,” she said.