Much has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the net version of this quintessential game present a salvation, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game lately had undergone a recent increase in acceptance with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the cigarette ban across UK.
No longer will players be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where players enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t abandoned this familiar game?
The answer is online. Gamblers are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cig and still have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with no alternative.