A lot has been reported in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However can the internet variation of this traditional game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo has been an age old game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the cigarette ban across England and Wales.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not deserted this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can wager on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the communal part of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left a good many bingo players with no alternative.