Casinos may be able to boast that they are part of a $1 billion gaming market. However, there is another gambling game which is apparently just as popular along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi - Bingo.
That simple cry of "bingo" is what every bingo player lives for. That and the nice crisp of $20 dollar bills that go with it when you win. The numbers are called, and the players' mark their cards, number by number. The anticipation grows as the cards start to fill up.
Bingo can be played every day at any one of the many organizations in almost every one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast's numerous cities. Apart from American Legion posts, bingo players can also find bingo halls in many local churches, Elks Lodge, the Knights of Columbus, Boys & Girls Club, and various other nonprofit groups.
The profits from the games at the American Legion Post 1992 in Gautier all go to helping veterans, according to the post's commander Bill Whatley. On a Sunday afternoon at this popular veterans' club there are usually more than 50 people who are take their chances with bingo cards, hoping that this week will be the week that they get that big win.
Tim Honeycutt calls the games at this bingo hall, and he has a theory on why bingo games are still so popular.
"I guess just the thrill of winning something and the idea that it might be you, the next number might be you. People seem to really enjoy and get excited about it," he said.