An abundance has been reported in the press not long ago about the bingo industry struggling because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big aid to help keep the businesses afloat. However will the internet version of this classic game present a escape, or will it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an established game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the anti smoking law all over UK.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular locations where folks like to smoke.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not cast aside this classic game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the web will never replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.