An abundance has been written in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However can the internet variation of this traditional game offer a escape, or will it never compare to its land based peer?
Bingo has been an familiar game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlours instead of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the cigarette ban around United Kingdom.
No more will players be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo halls. Players have plunged and the business is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t given up on this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on online will never replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left many bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.