A lot has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the cigarette ban in England. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the internet version of this traditional game provide a escape, or might it not compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had witnessed a recent increase in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti cigarette law throughout UK.
No longer will gamblers be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common areas where players like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they have not cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can bet on bingo using their computer while enjoying a drink and cig and still enjoy monstrous jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.