A plumber has been detained and is serving 5 days imprisonment for being addicted to coconut candies. The man has got a severe sweet tooth and can’t do without munching on those candies 5-6 times a day.

“They keep saying it was an ounce and a half of crack cocaine” said the plumber. “I’m like what are you saying? It’s only a coconut candy!!”

The unbelievable incident took place last weekend when some policemen spotted him coming out of a corner store on Arthur avenue and asked him if they could check his car. “I let them inside my car and said you can search if you want. My bag is full of tools, I’m a plumber by profession.” he said.

However, instead of taking the toolbox out, the policemen pulled out a sandwich box filled with coconut candies. “Bingo!” the officer said. The plumber was totally confused as he couldn’t make out what was happening. “I was like bingo? What do you want to play bingo?” plumber said.

The policeman suspected him for selling drugs and arrested him for no rhyme or reason. “They threw me in jail for eating candies. Why are they making such a big deal out of it. I’m really worried and distressed.”

It is now likely that the plumber may file a lawsuit against the police officer for false arrest. “They called out a false bingo, so now its their turn to pay for their mistake” he said.

Bingo is a game often associated with old ladies, church’s fund raising, charity events and of course, socializing. Many people see bingo as a form of betting and a means of making some extra cash. But is it really true? Is bingo a type of gambling? We’re still not sure.

Bingo, unlike most casino games, started off as a small game, rather pastime, played in churches to raise funds for some noble cause. As compared to the flashy casinos at Las Vegas, where gamblers put money on games in anticipation to double their cash, bingo games were generally played in a very sober setup, including homes.

In 1939, when Connecticut General legalized bingo officially, people were authorized to play bingo. At that point, the very first bingo site with lighter betting games was launched. The site aimed at offering bingo games for fun and didn’t want people to become problem gamblers. Bingo is hooking, no doubt. But if played within the set limits and respects, it may not be as addictive as casino games.

Bingo is not just limited to winnings and raising money, but it also offers some clean, good fun to players. A lot of people, if not all, like to play online bingo for its social aspect. The chat room facility of online bingo sites is being used by players to interact with people from all over the world. Besides, the chat games and the overall camaraderie add even more excitement to the game.

As bingo grows in popularity, you can now find a lot of websites to play bingo online. These sites offer fantastic cash rewards along with some fresh variations of bingo. So, has bingo become a form of betting now? If we go by the technical definition then bingo, like lottery, is a ‘soft’ form of betting. Now the next question that arises is - Does online bingo websites encourage gambling addiction?

Any form of online game, and not just bingo or casino, becomes addictive when played all the time. According to recent survey, a lot of players become hooked to online games because of the pleasure it gives. Moreover, online bingo is convenient. Players can play bingo anywhere, anytime they want. All they need is a computer with internet connection and they are good to go. Technology has turned online gaming into a world that never sleeps. And as with every technology, there are both good and bad aspects to online gambling, but its up to a player which side he selects.

Try to maintain healthy gaming habits, no matter how much you feel hooked to the game.

Remember to:
1. Play for fun and not for the money.
2. Set a limit on how much you will gamble and follow it strictly.
3. If you’re on a losing streak, don’t hesitate to quit the game.
4. Don’t repent for the games you’ve lost.
5. Don’t let the game overpower you. Think of your responsibilities first.

Playing bingo online doesn’t amount to gambling as such. Bingo can be played for a variety of reasons other than just money - such as fun, socializing, charity, fundraising etc. Given that the players set their limits and follow them religiously, they could enjoy bingo without falling into any addiction, whatsoever. Bingo was devised to facilitate good interaction among people in the neighborhood, who could meet and spend some fun time together. While playing bingo, whether online of offline, just remember to enjoy it!