A lot has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However will the web version of this classic game provide a escape, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls instead of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law around England and Wales.
No longer will gamblers be able to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common places where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo halls. Numbers have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not cast aside this age old game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect 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 demographic of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.