Party planning was always something that Alicia Virgil would do for the love of it, so when she was made redundant she decided to turn her passion into a business.

Ms Virgil started Bermuda Promotional Products and Event Management, which specialises in creating the atmosphere of casino nights without people losing a penny and tonight, they are having an official launch party at the Botanical Gardens visitor centre.

Initially she started out with a couple of game mats, and expanded slowly. Now they offer full casino nights, crown and anchor, and people can even have their photo and the date of the event on the play money.

"It is a really good ice breaker, because I've been to parties and everyone is sitting in cliques, but it's like they are waiting for something to break it. And whenever we have the casino table everyone is up and interacting."

The good thing about having a gamble for a giggle, she said, was that you aren't losing anything. "It is just good safe fun and when you leave, you have had a really great time." In addition they offer Karaoke nights.

She started out by running the business on the side. "When I was made redundant it was the catalyst to push me forward," said Ms Virgil, who worked as an administrative assistant in the reinsurance industry.

"I feel that sometimes in life we are shown little signs that it is time to take a different route and to follow what your passion is. I've always liked entertaining and organising parties and if someone doesn't have the time, leave it to us and we'll arrange it from start to finish."

Starting her business has given her an excitement that she never knew while working. "Everyday I wake up and I think, 'how can I make this better? How can I enhance it?' I just want to make sure that people never feel that this is just a service, I want to make sure that at the end of the night, everyone has enjoyed themselves."

The evening kicks off in the Botanical Gardens from 5.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Telephone 737-7666 or email bpp@bermuda.com or promobpp@yahoo.comfor more information.