Just prior to a New Jersey casino opening to the public, it is required by law to conduct a “Fun Night”. The purpose of a Fun Night is for New Jersey gaming officials to make a judgment, under actual gaming conditions, whether a new casino is up to speed with respect to new dealer and supervisory training. Also under review is employees and supervisors understanding of the rules, decorum, knowledge of operation of every aspect associated with running a casino before allowing the casino to open to the public with “live” gaming. This dry run is called a “Fun Nite” in which the public is invited to participate, usually through announcements in local newspapers and radio.

The public purchases paper fun money at non-gaming tables just outside the casino floor, at a rate of five cents on the dollar. Five U.S. dollars will get you $100 in paper Fun Nite money. $25 will get you $500 in play money, $100 will get you $2000. You may mix or match fun nite paper money in any denominations you desire of $1, $5, $10, $20, $100 denominations. All proceeds from the sale of Fun Money usually goes to a noteworthy charity, such as United Way, American Red Cross, Seaside House for Children, etc.

After purchasing the paper fun money, the player is admitted inside, onto the casino floor, and may exchange the paper Fun Nite money at the gaming tables for Fun Nite chips…. Just like you would do normally at a casino. The Fun Nite chips are used for all wagers (no real money is allowed to be used) and all winning bets are paid off with more Fun Nite chips. Loosing bets are collected and re-racked at the tables, just like under real betting conditions. However, the Fun Nite chips and/or Fun Nite paper money are not redeemable for cash. In fact, they are redeemable for nothing! Of course, while you are playing, the cocktail waitresses are taking your drink orders and everything else is going on as if it were the real thing. Slot play however is for real.

After about six hours or so of fun nite play action, players are advised about a half hour before “closing time” that the Fun Nite is over and they should begin finishing up their play. This is where players get crazy with their chips and start betting huge amounts just to get rid of them … as they have no cash value. Roulette, craps, blackjack, baccarat tables all have high piles of fun nite chips wagered on the last few hands … while collectors are stuffing them in their pockets.

After everyone on the public side of the house has left the premises, and the casino is shut down; gaming officials gather in conference rooms with gaming executives to “review their scores”. In the event that there were serious deficiencies in the marks, and if gaming officials feel that the property is not ready to open for live gaming, another Fun Nite will be ordered and another “dry run” will be held in the next day or two, after the deficiencies are corrected. The same process continues until Gaming is satisfied that everything is up to speed.

As for the actual chips and paper money that was used during these test Fun Nites; some casinos went all out and had their casino names printed on their play money and chips. Other properties used generic Fun Nite chips and paper money with no identification at all on them. I’ve attempted to illustrate everything I personally know that was used during these truly “Fun Nites” in Atlantic City. Of course no reference work in this collectible field will ever be complete, as new material will turn up the day after this publication is printed. I would be happy to hear from anyone who has additional Fun Nite material that he/she feels should be listed in future updates of this catalog.

Having said all the above, it should be noted that according to recent reports in the Press of Atlantic City ... Borgata will not be holding a traditional "Fun Nite" that is open to the public. From what I've read, Borgata is planning a "private invitation-only" pre-opening event with live gaming chips.

I know what your question will be ... my reply in advance is, "I don't know". Try the NJ Dividison of Gaming Enforcement or the Casino Control Commission.