Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has stepped in with a last-minute budget reprieve to allow those that live in nursing homes the opportunity to continue to play bingo.
Without the government's financial assistance, around 160,000 elderly people living in 2870 homes would have had to go without enjoyable activities.
But the funds boost to help the aged will allow bingo, outings and leisure activities to continue inside of care homes.
Mr Rudd's budget was originally seen by some to be likely to hit the poor and vulnerable the hardest but this decision to "top up" finances in the aged-care sector should send a different message.
Now bingo outlets in the UK will be seeking similar government intervention to continue to operate.
A rise in the number of online bingo games available and people choosing to play bingo online has led to many bingo players to shy away from bingo halls, which is one of the reasons for their sudden demise in many places.
Last week, Swedish online gaming provider Net Entertainment announced a rise in profits over the first quarter of 2008.
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