A lot has been stated in the papers not long ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big aid to help keep the businesses afloat. But can the net version of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or will it not compare to its land based kin?
Bingo is an classic game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had experienced a recent return in acceptance with younger people opting to hit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the cigarette ban around Britain.
No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public area will not be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored locations where people like to smoke.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t forgotten this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the net can never replace the collective aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a good many bingo players with no choice.