A lot has been stated in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to help keep the businesses afloat. But does the internet adaptation of this classic game provide a escape, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an age old game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored places where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is online. Gamblers realize that they can play bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the internet could never replace the social portion of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo players with no option.