Much has been reported in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the internet adaptation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or will it never compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an age old game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had undergone a recent return in acceptance with younger people deciding to go to the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the anti smoking law across Britain.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to smoke at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite places where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t abandoned this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beer and fag and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing on the net can never replace the social part of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.
