Much has been reported in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to assist in keeping the industry afloat. But does the web variation of this traditional game offer a salvation, or might it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an enduring game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game of late had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law around United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not abandoned this established game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the social part of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with little option.