Much has been reported in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry being hit as a result of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the industry afloat. However will the web adaptation of this traditional game present a salvation, or will it not compare to its land based kin?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people opting to hit the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the smoking ban throughout England and Wales.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common locations where folks like to smoke.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Players have dropped and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not abandoned this classic game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and smoke and still enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on online is unlikely to replace the communal part of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little option.