A lot has been stated in the press recently concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But does the online version of this quintessential game offer a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo has been an classic game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the legislating of the cigarette ban around United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular places where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo halls. Players have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. People realise that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and still have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the net can never replace the collective aspect of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left many bingo players with no option.