Alberta has a unique charitable gaming model. It is the only province in Canada where charitable organizations are licensed to conduct and manage casino events. The Alberta government has established a system where proceeds from charitable gaming activities,  including casino events, are allocated to support nonprofit groups and charitable causes. This involves volunteers of the nonprofit working with licensed casinos to run gaming events like casino nights, where the proceeds from the event are donated to the nonprofit organization. This fundraising event means that Imanta earns revenue to keep things like our scholarship program, senior’s taxis, and children’s programs running.

So, what would a volunteer do?
It’s not as scary as it sounds.  It’s actually terribly easy (and sometimes even boring). No previous casino experience is required!  All volunteers are trained during their shift, and there are always advisors present to answer any questions and ensure everything goes smoothly. There’s also a comfortable Volunteer Lounge with plenty of seating, a TV, and snacks! You can also order a complimentary meal from the casino’s restaurant while working your shift. There are two key areas within the casino that depend on volunteer workers:  The Cash Cage and the Count Room.
The Cash Cage Room:
Chips and cash are held in this room. It is accessible to casino players’ to redeem their chips won for cash. The General Manager, Banker and Cashier volunteers will be in this room along with a casino advisor.
Position: Banker
The Banker helps supervise the cash cage. This includes ensuring the security of the chips and cash, and working with the cashiers to ensure correct payouts are made. A casino advisor is always nearby to help monitor.
Position: Cashier
The cashier’s role is similar to a bank teller’s. The cashier interacts directly with casino players. The cashier redeems players’ chips for cash. A casino advisor is always nearby to help monitor the amount of cash for chips.
Position: Chip Runner
The chip runner works with casino security to open and close tables, and deliver chips to the game tables. When required, security will lead the chip runner to the appropriate tables to deliver the chips. Chip Runners can spend the majority of their shift in the Volunteer Lounge waiting for a notification of when they are needed.
The Count Room:
This is a separate room near the Cash Cage. Volunteers wait in the volunteer lounge until there is a count of chips and cash to complete near the casino’s closing hours. There is always a
casino advisor to supervise and help with the count and handling of chips and cash. Count room volunteers take on one of four possible jobs:
1. Sorter: Sorts all cash or chips by denomination
2. Counter: Counts the sorted cash or chips, by denomination
3. Recorder: Records the number of bills, coins, and chips counted in a computer
4. Amalgamator: Verifies the cash or chips counted and groups them into bundles

The volunteer work involved is very easy, safe, and secure. There is always a friendly advisor to help monitor and ensure everything is being done correctly.   A lot of time is spent waiting for transactions to happen, so there is a lot of down time. Catch up on reading! The only real downsides to volunteering are the late hours that you must be there.  You can also request Casino security to walk you to your car when your shift is over, especially for the late Count Room shifts.  Volunteers can also use a taxi service to get you to and from the Casino.  Just keep your taxi receipts and present them to one of the board members of Imanta and you will be reimbursed.

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