Much has been talked in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But will the internet variation of this traditional game offer a escape, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an familiar game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to hit the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the legislating of the anti smoking law across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite locations where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo halls. Players have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they have not abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Players know that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the collective part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no choice.