The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will transform into Sin City – fountains, games and Vegas-themed props.

Vegas Night, partially funded through $9,950 from the Undergraduate Student Government, will take place from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m. tonight at the rec center. The entire gym floor will be transformed to look like a casino. There are 36 betting tables, six slot machines and Plinko, along with 20 various prizes, including one grand prize.

When students enter, they will receive $10,000 in playing money. Students can bring up to eight non-perishable food items, donated to Kent Social Services, for an additional $5,000 each.

“This event will be benefiting the community while creating a fun atmosphere for students,” said Jason Hawk, marketing coordinator for the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

During the night, students will receive raffle tickets for the money and chips they win playing. The raffle tickets will be entered into boxes by prizes students want to win. At the end of the night the winners will be drawn.

Free food, a full Vegas style buffet along with Subway and “mocktails,” will be available all night.

There will be two different playing rooms along with all the slots and betting tables on the gym floor.

The Beginner’s Lounge will feature one table for every game that is offered. In this room, beginners can learn how to play each game before going out and betting their money.

Black Squirrel Radio is sponsoring a high rollers room. To enter the BSR room, students need to achieve $100,000 in playing money. This room is for serious competitors and once inside, you can win prizes from the BSR vault.

To keep with the Vegas theme, magician Rick Smith Jr. will perform at 2 a.m. Smith Jr. is the current Guinness World Record holder for distance playing-card throwing. His world record throw is 216 feet and 4 inches.

Piano Jammers, a dueling piano act that thrives on crowd involvement, will perform at 11:30 p.m. Students will be able to write down songs they want the Piano Jammers to play during the act.

A DJ will be set up playing house music when no acts are performing. A stage will be available for students who want to dance.

A Chapel of Love will be set up for students to dress up in wedding attire and get their pictures taken. A photographer will be taking pictures and sending them to students via e-mail once the night is over.

Vegas Night will take 24-hours to set up. Only two basketball hoops will be open from 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday afternoon.

Vegas Night is produced by the Student Recreational Council. Subway is also a contributing sponsor.

Students can bring friends that don’t attend Kent State to Vegas Night. Each guest will need to sign a guest form and have a valid photo I.D.

Contact Student Recreation and Wellness reporter Melissa Sidebotham at [email protected].