A lot has been written in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However will the internet variation of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or might it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo has been an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in popularity with younger people deciding to hit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the cigarette ban throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favorite places where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not forgotten this classic game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can bet on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the internet could never replace the communal portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with no choice.