An abundance has been stated in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the internet adaptation of this quintessential game present a salvation, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had undergone a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law throughout UK.
No more will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they have not forgotten this age old game?
The answer is on the web. People realise that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and still enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on online could never replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.