Much has been written in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big aid to help keep the businesses alive. But does the online version of this classic game offer a reprieve, or will it not compare to its real life relative?
Bingo has been an familiar game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to hit the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the cigarette ban around UK.
No longer will enthusiasts be allowed to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t forgotten this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, enjoy monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective part of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a good many bingo players with no option.