Bingo is a favorite pastime of people around the world from young to old. Bingo has come a long way since its inception many years ago. Now, people can not only play traditional bingo but also electronic bingo. Electronic bingo is different than traditional bingo in that it’s played alone on a machine. Many states have ruled that electronic and online bingo is illegal because it’s considered an “illegal lottery.”

Unfortunately, the states who pass these new laws are forgetting the many social and health benefits of traditional and online bingo.

According to a study reported by the Telegraph, frequently participating in social events helps older people keep an active and youthful mind. By playing games like online bingo, sudoku and even golf, an aging mind remains engaged.

For the study, researchers watched the decline of motor function of more than 96 elderly patients over a period of almost five years.

Studies have shown that people who remain mentally active, reduce their chances of getting sick and add years onto their lives. The findings, which were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine journal, show that staying active reduces the risk of developing a disability by 65 percent and of death by 40 percent.

If you’re an avid watcher of WSOP, try dipping your hands in and setting up some game times of your own