Much has been reported in the press recently concerning the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the web variation of this quintessential game offer a escape, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an classic game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had seen a recent return in popularity with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the introduction of the cigarette ban throughout Britain.
No more will gamblers be able to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favorite locations where players enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not deserted this ancient game?
The answer is online. People realise that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cig and still have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a good many bingo players with little option.