There’s no doubt that online casino games can be a lot of fun. But did you know that some, including bingo, can also be good for your brain? Find out how this much-beloved game of chance can improve various aspects of your mind and intellect.

1. Bingo Has a Positive Effect on Your Memory

When you think of games that could help improve your memory or cognitive function, bingo isn’t usually the first one that pops into your head. But bingo isn’t just a load of fun; it can help you maintain your memory, particularly if you are struggling with a condition that negatively affects it. A study, “The Effects of Playing Bingo Game in the Cognitive Level of Older Adults With Dementia,” explored how bingo affected the memory of those with dementia, as well as those with otherwise healthy brains. Below is an excerpt from the study:

“Results show that continuous playing of bingo for seven consecutive weeks improves the memory of the respondents as evidence in the significant difference between the pretest and posttest. Studies show that those who play bingo regularly have better memory as well as better reactions whether they win prizes or not.” 

Forgetting where you left your car keys once in a while is one thing, but if you want your memory to function well, particularly as you get older, regularly playing bingo can help.

2. Bingo Helps Keep Other Aspects of Your Mind Sharp

A UK study, performed by Julie Winstone of the Department of Psychology at the University of Southampton’s Centre for Visual Cognition, helped identify how bingo can help your mind sharp, particularly as you age. The Guardian article, “Bingo calculations help elderly people keep their brains alert,” highlighted how Ms Winstone recruited 112 people and split them into two age groups. She stated:

“I got them to scan a grid for single digits, pairs of digits and then three digits. The older bingo players were both quicker and made fewer errors than the older non-bingo players — and the younger bingo players.

“In bingo, it is very important not to miss a number and you have to sustain your attention sometimes for several hours.

“Concentration has been shown to decline with age so bingo could be helping older people sustain their attention for longer.”

Another study, “Bingo! Externally Supported Performance Intervention for Deficient Visual Search in Normal Aging, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease” looked at how bingo can help improve the mental performance of both healthy people and those afflicted with neurological conditions. In the last sentence of the abstract, the researchers found that:

“The general finding of improved performance across healthy and afflicted groups suggests the value of visual support as an easy-to-apply intervention to enhance cognitive performance.”

So if you want to stay sharp (regardless of your age,) taking time out to play bingo, online or offline, is likely to go a long way.

3. Many Games, Including Bingo, Help Improve Hand-Eye Coordination

When it comes to improving your hand-eye coordination, the first things to come to mind are likely sporting activities such as catch, baseball, and tennis. Video games are another way to improve your hand-eye coordination, as players are often required to react very quickly to whatever is taking place on screen, which can be achieved by quick inputs using a keyboard and mouse, game controller, or other device. 

But, a little-known fact is that improved hand-eye coordination is also one of the benefits of playing bingo. In the traditional game, a player with multiple bingo cards must be able to identify which cards have a number that’s just been called and mark them off before the host moves on to the next one. 

If you play online bingo, you can reap the same benefits by using a mouse to click on the numbers on your cards or tapping the relevant number with your finger on a smartphone or tablet. Of course, if you’re not worried about your hand-eye coordination, you can set the game to automatically mark the numbers for you.

4. It Can Help Foster Social Connections, Which Provides Mental Benefits

At first glance, one might wonder how socializing can provide your brain with an additional boost, but studies have shown that regular social interaction and contact with others not only combats negative mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety, but can also help improve memory and cognitive function in older people. The study, “Social Network, Cognitive Function, and Dementia Incidence Among Elderly Women,” came to the following conclusion:

“Our findings suggest that larger social networks have a protective influence on cognitive function among elderly women. Future studies should explore which aspects of social networks are associated with dementia risk and maintenance of cognitive health.”

One of the best benefits of bingo is the community you become involved in, whether you’re playing the game at your local bingo hall or in an online bingo room. The connections you can build by playing social games can have a significant impact on your mental well-being and cognitive functioning — bingo is no exception. What’s not to like?

5. Playing Bingo Can Be Beneficial for Your Physical Health Too

Bingo, by no means, requires any strenuous activity — but a game doesn’t need to be tiring to be good for your physical health. Playing bingo can be very beneficial for your health. Simply getting out of the house and visiting a bingo hall every so often can have a big impact on your ability to ward off physical ailments. Studies have even found that seniors who play bingo had shorter hospital stays and faster healing times after being admitted for a surgery or illness.

They do say that laughter is the best medicine, so sharing in the fun and excitement of a bingo game with your friends can be very beneficial for your mental and physical health. Laughter decreases your stress, increases your immunity, and triggers endorphins. It has also been shown to lower blood pressure and improve cardiac health. 

As you can see, there are numerous physical, mental and social benefits to playing bingo. 

Play the Best Online Bingo Games at Borgata Bingo

At Borgata Bingo, New Jersey residents can try their luck on a range of exciting games, including the classic 75-ball and 90-ball bingo games, as well as jackpot slots, Slingo, and many more exciting titles. See what incredible gameplay is on offer when you play online bingo. Download the app via iOS or Android or register online to join the party at Borgata Bingo.