Much has been written in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry being hit because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the online adaptation of this quintessential game offer a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent resurgence in popularity with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti smoking law across England and Wales.
No more will gamblers be able to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public area will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they haven’t given up on this established game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beverage and cigarette and still have a chance at monstrous jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the social part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left many bingo players with little choice.