Much has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the cigarette ban in England. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the web adaptation of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or will it not compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an classic game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the enforcement of the anti smoking law throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored places where folks like to smoke.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t forgotten this established game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can gamble on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and still have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the social part of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.