The annual Capitals Casino night will no longer be open to individual attendees as it shifts to a “corporate sponsorship structure,” according to an email Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation is sending to attendees of previous Casino Nights in an email today.

MSE Foundation is the charitable arm of the organization that owns the Capitals. Its popular Casino Night had been a highlight of the social calendar for many fans because it offered a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with players, coaches, and other team personnel.

In addition to playing table games and taking photos with players, fans at Casino Night have an opportunity to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences. At the 2018 Casino Night, live-auction items included an escape room experience with Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Devante Smith-Pelly, and Dmitry Orlov; bowling with Andre Burakovsky, Jakub Vrana, Madison Bowey, Christian Djoos, and Philipp Grubauer; and a wine tasting with John Carlson and Brooks Orpik, Braden Holtby, and Alex Chiasson.

In an email sent to previous Casino Night attendees and shared with RMNB, MSE Foundation explained that it has recently undergone a transformation that has seen it focus on one issue and nonprofit partner each month. The partner for December is Martha’s Table, which supports children and families in the District.

“With the Foundation facelift, we have also decided to revamp Capitals Casino Night to assist us in that effort,” the email said. “While we know this has been a popular event, we felt that if we changed the format, we could raise even more funds for the Foundation, so we would better be able to serve our nonprofit partners and in turn our community as a whole.”

More from MSE Foundation:

Thank you for supporting Capitals Casino Night. As you may be aware, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation has recently undergone a transformation. In order to expand our impact in the community, we felt it was necessary to update our mission, partnerships and giving strategies. Our new plan focuses on a monthly issue with a corresponding nonprofit partner. We are putting all of our Monumental assets behind these nonprofits to lift up and amplify their stories and share the important work they are doing with our fans, staff and players. We are committed to raising the game on and off the ice and feel that this new format will provide a greater, measurable impact in the community. With the Foundation facelift, we have also decided to revamp Capitals Casino Night to assist us in that effort. While we know this has been a popular event, we felt that if we changed the format, we could raise even more funds for the Foundation, so we would better be able to serve our nonprofit partners and in turn our community as a whole. In that vein, we have decided to move away from an individual ticketed event to a corporate sponsorship structure. While we understand some fans will be disappointed, we know the Caps provide many events and touchpoints for their fans throughout the year and are sure you will find another way to support the team. If you are interested in continuing to support Capitals Casino Night as a corporate sponsor, please contact Mallory Devine at mdevine@monumentalsports.com. Again, thank you for your support, we could not be as successful as we are without amazing fans like you.

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk