Much has been written in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the net variation of this traditional game provide a escape, or might it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti smoking law throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. Players know that they can wager on bingo from their computer while enjoying a beverage and fag and still enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the internet is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.