Much has been stated in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But does the net adaptation of this traditional game offer a salvation, or might it not compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an established game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger men and women deciding to visit the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti smoking law across England and Wales.
No longer will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Numbers have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers know that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cig and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the web is unlikely to replace the collective portion of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.