Much has been written in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to help keep the businesses alive. But does the online variation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo has been an familiar game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had witnessed a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law across UK.
No more will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t forgotten this established game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers are now realizing that they can bet on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, have a chance at big cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the web can never replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the law has left a good many bingo players with no alternative.