While bingo in the UK is typically played either online or in a gaming establishment such as bingo club it is at times interesting to see changes in the game to fit particular circumstances. As part of an Autumn Fair in Illinois, dairy farmers have come up with a unique new concept for the game. Cows relieve themselves on a field which has been marked out with 100 squares and players win prizes if their numbers come up.

The annual event is due to be held today and the aim is to raise funds for the Geneva Park District Foundation, which enhances and improves the quality of life for all residents in the Geneva Park District by securing donations of and for open space, parks, and recreational facilities.

During the bingo game six cows are allowed to range over the pre-marked field and players purchase numbered squares for $5 per square. Half of the bets are returned as prizes and half of the stakes will go to the foundation.

The cows are well fed before the game with a special diet which encourages them to quickly mark off the numbers. If the planned number generator does no happen then the organisers have an equally unique backup plan.

Traci Wicks, the spokesman for the event commented: "The farmer does try to feed them ahead of time. We have a game about every half-hour. We do try to spread it out.” Wicks adds that “There are still tickets available. We recommend that people buy ahead of time because usually the first four games are sold out by the time the festival begins, but sometimes they are all sold out.”

“If the cows do not poop, we have fake poop,” Wicks added. “We allow a child or senior citizen to throw a Frisbee, and whatever square it lands on, wins. The farmer does try to feed them ahead of time. We have a game about every half-hour. We do try to spread it out.”