A lot has been talked in the press recently regarding the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the cigarette ban in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to help keep the industry afloat. But can the online variation of this traditional game provide a salvation, or might it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an classic game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game of late had undergone a recent comeback in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to hit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law throughout UK.
No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public area will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the web can never replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with little choice.