Much has been talked in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to help keep the businesses alive. But can the net variation of this traditional game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based kin?
Bingo is an enduring game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had undergone a recent increase in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the enacting of the smoking ban throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers are now realizing that they can participate in bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beer and smoke and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo players with no choice.