An abundance has been written in the press not long ago about the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the cigarette ban in Britain. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But does the web adaptation of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an age old game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had seen a recent return in popularity with younger people opting to hit the bingo halls rather than the discos on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law throughout England and Wales.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t given up on this established game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can participate in bingo from their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the collective part of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left many bingo players with little choice.