Robert McLeroy | 210SA contributor Tony and Eva Longoria Parker vowed to annually host Celebrity Casino Night to raise money for the charity, Eva’s Heroes.

Casino gambling and poker rooms that are open to the public are a big no-no in the state of Texas, but that doesn’t mean that options don’t exist in the name of charity.

Tony and Eva Longoria Parker were wise enough to capitalize on this loophole Aug. 9, and in the process, the two were able to create a fundraiser of epic proportions at their inaugural “Celebrity Casino Night” at Pedrotti’s North Wind Ranch in Helotes.

Benefits from the event went to Eva’s Heroes, a charity aimed to improve the lives of children and young adults with developmental disabilities.

“Eva and Tony have given so much to the community. It’s been amazing,” former Spurs guard Sean Elliott said. “I just wish there were more people like them out there. They have so much on their plate every day. Yet, they stay focused and find a way to make their community better.”

More than 900 people were estimated in attendance at the event after an announced sellout. Guests were given the option to either purchase a 100 ticket that included dinner and entrance to the casino, or a 300 ticket that included dinner, casino chips and a seat at the poker tournament.

“When you mix poker with fundraisers, it’s a guaranteed success,” world champion poker player Phil Hellmuth said. Hellmuth emceed the poker tournament and brought along Leeann Tweeden, host of NBC’s “Poker After Dark” and former FHM magazine cover girl.

More than a dozen Hollywood guests attended, providing a rare opportunity for San Antonians to get a taste of the Hollywood lifestyle.

“Eva is an old friend, and she invited me to come down,” said Adam Rodriguez of the hit show “CSI: Miami.” “I’m really happy to be in San Antonio and have such a great time.”

Rodriguez, in addition to Parker, was the eye candy for the women in attendance. The 33-year-old has threads on imdb.com proclaiming his “hotness,” and the number of photo requests he obliged for the female fans backs up the claim.

Combined with silent auctions and a live auction for a seat in a high-stakes poker tournament in Aruba, Eva’s Heroes had a good night in its quest to further the growth of the charity.

“Eva is doing something here in San Antonio that really raises awareness,” Tweeden said. “It’s amazing, because if you think about it, there are very few people that don’t have somebody in their lives that could benefit from something like Eva’s Heroes. It’s really amazing.”

 For those who were turned away from the event because of an early sellout, it might be a good idea to watch the calendar more carefully next year. Longoria Parker vowed on the red carpet that the fundraiser would be an annual event.

“We’ll be back next year,” she said. “This is something that we hope grows and grows over time. It’s really great to see all the support in the community for this event.”

Chuck Blount | 210SA contributor