Jocelyn Ramirez
On Friday, April 4, 2025, Dominican University’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted its annual Casino Night, a tradition that brought the campus community together for an evening of games, prizes, and camaraderie. This year’s event, themed “Wild West,” took place in the Social Hall from 7 to 10 PM and attracted over 300 attendees, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Casino Night has been a cornerstone of Dominican University’s campus life for over 25 years. Aldo Cervantes, CAB President, emphasized the event’s significance: “It’s an experience that gets passed down from one class to the next. Students get excited about dressing up and competing for prizes bringing everyone together.”
Jess Daniels, CAB advisor and Director of Student Involvement, highlighted Casino Night’s unique ability to unite students, faculty, staff, and alumni. “It’s one of those rare events where everyone comes together,” Daniels said. “The inclusive nature of Casino Night is what makes it so special, it’s not just for students; it’s for the entire Dominican community.”
Organizing Casino Night is no small task. According to Cervantes, planning begins in September and takes four to five months to finalize. This year’s Wild West theme was chosen through a collective vote by CAB members and brought fresh ideas from new board members.
Daniels explained the logistical challenges behind the scenes: “From ordering prizes to coordinating with volunteers and vendors, every detail requires careful attention.”
This year’s Casino Night wasn’t without its challenges. One of the event’s most coveted prizes, a TV, went missing during delivery, leaving CAB scrambling to find a replacement just days before the big night. Cervantes explained the situation, “We’re not sure what happened it might have been a delivery issue, but we knew we had to adapt quickly by adding the Coach purse.”
Casino Night offered thrilling games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and slot machines. Attendees “gambled” for a chance to win incredible prizes, including a PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, mini iPad, headphones, and an electric scooter!
Senior Ryan Barnett reflected on the excitement surrounding the prizes, “One of my favorite memories was when my roommate won a Nintendo Switch last year. The joy of winning something big is what makes this event so memorable.”
This year’s Casino Night stood out with CAB’s engaging promotions on Instagram and TikTok to students with creative content while also hosting an educational event earlier in the week to teach attendees how to play casino games.
Daniels noted another change by adjusting the event timing to 7–10 PM. “This allows more staff and faculty to participate while still keeping it accessible for students,” she explained.
Barnett also reflected on how Casino Night has evolved during his time at Dominican, “In my freshman year, attendance was lower due to COVID-19 restrictions. But each year since then, it’s grown bigger and better it’s now almost a given that everyone will attend.”
Casino Night remains a highlight of the academic year for many students. For seniors like Barnett, it marks one of their final opportunities to celebrate with classmates before graduation. “It really makes me reflect on my time here,” he shared. “It’s one of those last moments we get to enjoy together as a class.”
With its blend of tradition, fun, and community spirit, Wild West Casino Night once again proved why it remains one of Dominican University’s most cherished events. As Daniels mentioned, “Casino Night is more than just games and prizes it’s about bringing people together.”
jramirez9@my.dom.edu
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