Much has been written in the press recently about the bingo industry being hit because of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But does the web variation of this traditional game offer a salvation, or will it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an enduring game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a weekend. This is all about to change with the introduction of the cigarette ban throughout United Kingdom.
No more will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored places where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t forgotten this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. People are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo using their computer while enjoying a drink and smoke and in the end, have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no option.