Much has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the UK. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the online adaptation of this classic game offer a escape, or might it not compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had seen a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people opting to go to the bingo halls rather than the discos on a weekend. All this is about to change with the legislating of the smoking ban throughout UK.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favorite places where players like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Surely they have not forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. People are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and still enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.