A lot has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to help keep the businesses afloat. But will the internet adaptation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an classic game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the smoking ban all over United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not cast aside this age old game?
The answer is online. People realise that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.