The Hilton Long Beach will transform into a casino in April when Monte Carlo Night, presented by the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, returns for the first time in more than a decade.

The race-themed event, which is making its return since it stopped in 2003, will be held during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend and is the event’s main fundraiser this year, raising money for local Long Beach charities. Nonprofits include Miller Children’s Hospital, Women’s Shelter Long Beach, Operation Jump Start, the Short Stop Program, Ronald McDonald House and the Long Beach Century Club, along with the Robert E. Leslie Scholarship Program.

Monte Carlo Night replaces the golf tournament, which has annually taken place on the Monday of race week but was canceled this year due to a date conflict, said Foundation President Rick DuRee.

“We decided to use that as an opportunity to upgrade the event for next year,” DuRee said. “I think players and supporters are going to be thrilled with the changes when they hear what we have planned.”

Monte Carlo Night will feature casino-style gambling and a tentatively scheduled poker tournament.

“There’s no need to worry about black tie and formal gowns — people can come straight from the track to Monte Carlo Night,” DuRee said. “You can come early, you can come late, or you can come and play the entire time. We’ll have lots of great prizes and a race-inspired atmosphere that will be hard to forget.”

The event will take place on April 17 from 7:00PM to 10:30PM at the Hilton Long Beach, located at 701 West Ocean Boulevard. Ticket information is expected to be released soon.

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