A lot has been talked in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However can the internet variation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the cigarette ban around Britain.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t abandoned this classic game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realise that they can play bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on online can never replace the social portion of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left many bingo players with little choice.