Raising The Stakes
Raising The Stakes
Podcast Description
Why do charities volunteer in casinos, of all places, in Alberta? They do it to survive. This is what’s called the charitable gaming model. With potentially tens of thousands of dollars at stake that charities need to better help their communities, these events are too important to leave it to chance. There’s a lot that could go wrong.
In Raising the Stakes, a podcast about helping charities navigate the casino system in Alberta, long-time expert casino advisor Jeffrey Dawson cuts through the noise and lays out the critical path to holding a successful event. Here’s how he helps: it’s about simplifying, streamlining, and taking all of the guesswork out of it, because planning a casino fundraiser can sometimes feel like an impossible task.
Over the course of the series, we’ll hear from members of charitable groups who highlight their need for fundraising, the tumultuous state of not-for-profits in Alberta, and speak about going through the process from beginning to end. All are welcome at this table: from newer chairpersons who need hands-on guidance, to those who know exactly who and what they need to pull off the perfect event.
Learn more about Jeffrey Dawson and Alberta Casino Advisors Incorporated at https://albertacasinoadvisors.com/
HOSTED BY JEFFREY DAWSON
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY JORDAN WONG
NARRATED BY RITHU JAGANNATH
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast tackles the challenges charities face with casino fundraising, including navigating regulatory landscapes and volunteer management. Key episodes explore themes such as the importance of compliance with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission, difficulties in securing volunteer commitments, and innovative strategies for event planning, featuring discussions on real events where charities seek support and advice.
Why do charities volunteer in casinos, of all places, in Alberta? They do it to survive. This is what’s called the charitable gaming model. With potentially tens of thousands of dollars at stake that charities need to better help their communities, these events are too important to leave it to chance. There’s a lot that could go wrong.
In Raising the Stakes, a podcast about helping charities navigate the casino system in Alberta, long-time expert casino advisor Jeffrey Dawson cuts through the noise and lays out the critical path to holding a successful event. Here’s how he helps: it’s about simplifying, streamlining, and taking all of the guesswork out of it, because planning a casino fundraiser can sometimes feel like an impossible task.
Over the course of the series, we’ll hear from members of charitable groups who highlight their need for fundraising, the tumultuous state of not-for-profits in Alberta, and speak about going through the process from beginning to end. All are welcome at this table: from newer chairpersons who need hands-on guidance, to those who know exactly who and what they need to pull off the perfect event.
Learn more about Jeffrey Dawson and Alberta Casino Advisors Incorporated at https://albertacasinoadvisors.com/
HOSTED BY JEFFREY DAWSON
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY JORDAN WONG
NARRATED BY RITHU JAGANNATH
Oops, Oops, Oops
Volunteerism and community participation has changed over the years. It’s getting harder for charities to get people to commit their time to fundraising, and in the specific case of casinos, there’s something about them that scares people away. The issue is, if volunteer requirements for the casinos aren’t met, the casino is not allowed to open. And there are further rules about who can and cannot volunteer for certain positions within casinos. Charities need casino advisors to double or triple check that everything is ready for the big night. If they’ve been doing events long enough, casino chairpersons will know it’s impossible to plan for everything that can go wrong but experienced advisors will at least prevent the most common errors.
This episode of Raising the Stakes focuses on the difficulties charities face in finding volunteers, but casino advisor Jeffrey Dawson has a fix when it’s down to the wire. They are volunteers that he calls “casino angels” and they’re to be used when the chips are down… ie: only if absolutely necessary. Members from charities in Alberta; Mark Fournier, TerryLee Ropchan, and Sean Fraser are back to talk about the casino events themselves, leaning on advisors for support, and being prepared (“it’s organized chaos”) and on that subject, Jeff talks about the time a fire broke out at a casino. There was an evacuation and everything. Jeff was ready for it. Volunteers need good training, even when there isn’t an emergency.
And remember, you’re at a casino. At least try and have a little fun.
Raising the Stakes: Episode 3 “Oops, Oops, Oops”
Guests
Mark Fournier, Treasurer for Wild Rose Humane Society
TerryLee Ropchan, Executive Director for The Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre
Sean Fraser, Executive Director of the Evergreen Theatre Society
About Jeffrey Dawson & Alberta Casino Advisors Incorporated
Jeffrey Dawson is the owner and operator of Alberta Casino Advisors Incorporated. Trained and registered as a Dual-Advisor, Jeff can provide Cash Cage Advisor and Count Room Advisor services to any organization, and he has experience in every casino in the province. Jeff helps charities prepare the paperwork for their licensed casino event. Depending on their location, qualifying for a licensed casino event may take as little as 12 months, or at worst, may take five years or more.
Alberta Casino Advisors serve charitable and religious organizations throughout the province.
They are a registered Gaming Worker Supplier that is licensed through Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). They operate throughout Alberta with expertise and experience in all nineteen traditional casinos, and Host First Nations casinos.
Visit https://albertacasinoadvisors.com/ to learn more.
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