Much has been stated in the press recently concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But does the net adaptation of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an enduring game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the smoking ban around Britain.
No more will players be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common locations where people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. People realize that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the internet can never replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left many bingo players with no alternative.