A lot has been stated in the press recently concerning the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the web adaptation of this quintessential game present a escape, or might it in no way compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the anti smoking law throughout England and Wales.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to smoke while marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most popular areas where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can bet on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and fag and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on on the web will never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.