When planning a company casino night or holiday celebration, one of the first questions organizers ask is: “How should we handle prizes?” It seems simple — award the biggest prizes to the top winners, right? In reality, that approach can turn a fun, team-building event into a stressful competition that misses the spirit of the night.

At Philly Casino Parties, we’ve spent over 35 years perfecting how to create the most engaging, fair, and enjoyable casino experiences for corporate clients. Through thousands of successful events, we’ve learned that “Top Winner” systems sound appealing in theory but almost always lead to frustration and imbalance. Here’s why — and how our proven raffle system keeps everyone smiling until the very last hand.

1. Top Winner Systems Discourage Fun

When prizes go only to the players who win the most chips, the night quickly shifts from “fun and friendly” to “cutthroat competition.” Guests may take the games too seriously, argue over rules, or even lose interest if they fall behind early. Casino parties should be about laughter, interaction, and camaraderie — not anxiety about who’s keeping score.

2. Top Winner Systems Penalizes Beginners and Non-Gamblers

Not everyone attending a company party is familiar with blackjack or roulette. A “Top Winner” prize structure favors those who already know the games or are simply lucky. Guests who aren’t experienced players can feel left out — the opposite of what you want at a company celebration designed to bring people together. Our system levels the playing field by giving everyone the same starting amount of chips and rewarding participation with raffle tickets, not just big wins. That way, everyone has a fair shot at walking away with a prize — and a great memory.

3. Top Winner Systems Create Logistical Headaches

Tracking who has the most chips at the end of the night might sound simple, but it’s one of the biggest sources of confusion and delays for organizers. Chips get mixed up, or accidentally miscounted. Dealers are focused on keeping games running smoothly — not verifying totals. With our raffle ticket system, the process is seamless. Guests simply cash in their chips for raffle tickets at the end of the event — no complicated math, no disputes, no stress.

4. Our Raffle Ticket System Keeps Everyone Engaged Until the End

When you announce that chip totals determine the winner, many guests stop playing once they lose their stack. Our system avoids that. If someone runs out of chips, they can receive another allotment and jump back in. The goal is for everyone to have fun all night long, not just the lucky few who happen to be “up.”

5. Our Proven Raffle System Makes It Effortless

Here’s how our time-tested system works:

-Guests receive chips at their first table (usually $200 to start). Chips stay at the tables; players receive vouchers or new chips when they move.

-At the end of the night, guests trade chips for raffle tickets (for example, $100 in chips = 1 raffle ticket).

–You can then either draw winning numbers for prizes or use our raffle basket system, where guests choose which prizes they want to win by dropping their tickets into corresponding baskets.

This method keeps the event lighthearted, fair, and inclusive — exactly what a company party should be.

6. We Will Of Course Accommodate Your Preferences

While we highly recommend our raffle system for its fairness, efficiency, and fun factor, we understand that some clients still prefer to use their own “Top Winner” prize structure. If that’s your choice, we’ll of course do our best to accommodate your request and help the system run as smoothly as possible. Our experienced team will work with you to make sure the night remains organized, enjoyable, and memorable for all your guests.

The Bottom Line

At a corporate or holiday casino party, the goal isn’t to crown a champion — it’s to create a fun, social environment where everyone feels included and appreciated. “Top Winner” prize systems might sound exciting, but they often lead to stress, confusion, and disengagement.

By contrast, our raffle-based prize system ensures a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all your guests — from the first deal to the final draw.

Philly Casino Parties has perfected this formula to make your event effortless, engaging, and unforgettable. Let us handle all the details — you just sit back and enjoy the celebration!