A lot has been stated in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But does the online adaptation of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent increase in popularity with younger people deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout England and Wales.
No more will gamblers be able to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored areas where players like to smoke.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they have not deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realise that they can wager on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and smoke and still enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the social part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with little option.