I recently Googled ‘is bingo for old people?’ and found that I’m not the only person to have had these thoughts, or to have had a GnT drinking grandmother with a penchant for gambling. Okay, that last part was a whole different Google search… the point is, here’s why I think my grandmother and her friends would have loved to play online bingo:

Social networking

Those old folks were social networking mavericks before Facebook’s inventor was even born. My grandmother could pick up endless amounts of information about people while sitting in a bingo hall. She knew everything about everyone within a 300km radius, and had an opinion on it all too. The biggest reason she’d love online bingo is because she could know more. Most internet bingo sites facilitate chat rooms where you can talk to players from all over the world while betting your cash. It’s basically a virtual simulation of a local bingo hall, complete with endless amounts of chattering and endless opportunities to make friends. The social factor, since bingo moved online in 1996, hasn’t been dampened one bit. Imagine being able to indulge your nosey GnT drinking self in chats from around the world, 24 hours a day, while still being able to shout ‘bingo!’.

In it for the long haul

Back in the day, she’d only have one or two opportunities a week to put on her old gambling shoes and head to the hall for a night of fun. These days, she’d be able to sit in the comfort of her own armchair and still chat to all her best buddies any time of the day or night. Buying into an online gaming room is like buying into a social circle where everyone is interested in the same thing you are. The selling point is that you can access it 24 hours a day from wherever you are, and enjoy the benefit of spending as much time as you want to online – if you wanted a five hour bingo session, the choice is yours.

Stay smart and techno savvy

Researchers have found that people who play games like bingo regularly are able to think faster than non players. A speaker from Southampton University has said that during tests measuring mental speed, information scanning speed and memory, people who played bingo were faster and more accurate than non players. My gran was a smart woman, so that makes sense. It’s great exercise for older people to have, as it helps ensure they get the mental stimulation needed to stay alert and strong. She’d have loved online bingo for the mental benefits as well as the computer savvy benefits – in short, she’d simply be chuffed she could use the internet to play online bingo.

Not so long ago the sun bronzed our skins and all Capetonians spent time on the lovely Cape Town beaches. Now when you wake up at 6 in the morning, its still dark outside, the nights are chilly and your toes feel like they are freezing off!

Yes, it’s that time of the year again- wintertime!

Many a traveller will ask “What exactly can I do in Cape Town when it’s cold and rainy outside?”.

Well, this Capetonian can vouch that there’s no need to worry! You will have more than enough things to do in and around Cape Town even when the rain is pouring outside.

Here’s some tips:

Shark Cage Diving
You can start by going Shark cage diving! Yes you heard right! Sharks tend to move around, but according to Shark experts, winter is definitely the best time to visit the icy waters. Are you brave enough?

Ten Pin Bowling in Cape Town
Some indoor fun to heat up your hands and feet! Ten Pin Bowling offers fun for both young and old. Best of all it’s cheap to do and you can still go for a nice cuppa hot chocolate afterwards. There are bowling alleys in Claremont (only 12km from Cape Town), Goodwood and Tygervalley (Bellville).

Two Oceans Aquarium
Take a trip down to the V&A Waterfront, but instead of shopping take a turn and head over to the Two Oceans Aquarium. The Aquarium offers visitors a view of more than “3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fishes, seals, turtles and penguins”- definitely a must see! Open every day of the year from 09h30 until 18h00.

Salsa Dancing in Cape Town
Have you ever wanted to learn Salsa Dancing? Well Cape Town gives you this opportunity. Saturdays marks the time for salsa dancing! Come on, be daring and give it a try- 7 Bree Street, Foreshore, Cape Town CBD

Indoor Rock climbing
CityROCK is known as South Africa‘s largest 21st century indoor rock-climbing gym and is situated in Observatory, on the corner of Collingwood and Anson Street. One of the advantages of CityROCK is that they welcome kids from the age of 5 and up. Perfect for a family outing on a rainy day in Cape Town!

Win some money
Travel to GrandWest casino and experience an entertainment extravaganza! GrandWest Casino offers fun for the whole family. Ranging from fun for the kids to winning big for adults- GrandWest is a must visit!

Indoor Karting in Kenilworth
Feed your need for speed at the Indoor Karting track in Kenilworth. Expect to find a fully tarred 310 meter track and karts for both kids and adults. Come be a sport and join the fun today!

Ice-skating
There’s nothing better than ice-skating in the winter. Come to the Olympic sized ice rink in GrandWest and have a blast. Be sure to bring your mittens as it might be just a tad cold!

However, with the surge in popularity of online Bingo, the question is arising – is it possible that the hidden danger of gambling addiction lurks in this innocent game, after all?

According to the Australian Minister for Gaming, John Pandazopoulos, who recently launched that country’s Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, keeping the following criteria in mind could help players enter into the enjoyment of games such as bingo safely:

• Gamble for the fun of it, not for the money.
• Set yourself a limit and don’t exceed it.
• Don’t chase your losses. Walk away.
• Think of the people who need your support.