Much has been stated in the papers not long ago about the bingo industry struggling because of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However will the net variation of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an ancient game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the introduction of the smoking ban around England and Wales.
No more will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular areas where folks enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not abandoned this classic game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers are now realizing that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the internet could never replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with no choice.