Last year's bingo proceeds at the Association of Evergreen Youth in the Canadian city of Edmonton, Alberta, reached $91,000. However, the non-profit organization's bingo profits this year have only reached slightly over $30,000.

Many hands point an accusing finger at Edmonton's smoking ban, which took effect on July 1st of this year. Although the law has removed the nicotine clouds that floated through the city's bingo halls, it also lowered the financial standings of civic organizations and charities that use bingo in order to raise money.

In addition, the ban has apparently helped neighboring towns profit – bingo halls in Spruce Grove and Wetaskiwin, which do not have a smoking ban in effect, seem to be smokier than ever and, have in fact reported up to 40 percent increases in profits.

The Canadian Cancer Society, which is known for having fund raising nights in bingo halls, is optimistic. They believe that the damage to the profits is only short term, and within a year, the bingo hall income will return to normal, just as in other Canadian cities that have forbidden indoor smoking.