Much has been written in the press recently about the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the net version of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had experienced a recent return in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a weekend. All this is about to change with the enacting of the anti smoking law all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to smoke while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite areas where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can play bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and cigarette and still enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the internet could never replace the collective part of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.