A lot has been reported in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the internet adaptation of this traditional game present a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an age old game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent return in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti smoking law all over UK.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to smoke whilst marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public area will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored places where folks enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo halls. Players have plummeted and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they have not cast aside this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers are now realizing that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and smoke and still have a chance at big cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the social part of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a lot of bingo players with little choice.