An abundance has been talked in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to help keep the industry afloat. But does the net version of this classic game offer a lifeline, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo has been an familiar game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger men and women deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No more will gamblers be allowed to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favorite places where folks enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. People realise that they can bet on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a lot of bingo players with little option.