A lot has been reported in the papers not long ago about the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in the UK. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But will the internet version of this classic game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti smoking law throughout Britain.
No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favorite places where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t given up on this classic game?
The answer is online. Players realize that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the net could never replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with no option.