An abundance has been written in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big aid to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. But can the internet variation of this classic game offer a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its land based peer?
Bingo has been an established game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger people opting to visit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the smoking ban all over UK.
No more will gamblers be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this classic game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers know that they can gamble on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the collective portion of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo players with no choice.