An abundance has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However will the web version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had seen a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people opting to visit the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enacting of the cigarette ban around United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored areas where players like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers are now realizing that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and still have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on online can never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left many bingo players with no option.