Concerns have been raised about health implications. One school district brought in an expert from California who assured worried parents and others that non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from the sites is no risk to health. Casino nights are being used by some schools in Alberta. The question of using the proceeds of gambling for education has raised more than a few eyebrows. But, at the moment, it seems to be the lesser of two evils.
Education is a more worthy benefactor than most.
These are also not the typical fund raisers of the past where proceeds were to pay for uniforms, school trips or special events. These nights pay for teaching materials, text books and staff training. I would much rather parents participated in school life through helping their kids with reading programs. With schools depending more and more on fund raising to meet expenses traditionally covered by public funds, commercialization becomes increasingly both an option and a risk. The ability to make up lacking funds through corporate contributions in one form or another is immediately appealing.