A lot has been talked in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But will the net version of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti smoking law around Britain.
No more will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular places where players like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not given up on this classic game?
The answer is on the net. People know that they can play bingo using their computer while enjoying a beer and fag and still enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.