A lot has been stated in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However does the online variation of this traditional game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game of late had seen a recent comeback in popularity with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls in place of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law all over England and Wales.
No more will players be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Numbers have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they have not forgotten this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can enjoy bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cig and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the web will never replace the communal aspect of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the law has left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.