Much has been talked in the press just a while ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to assist in keeping the industry afloat. But does the online variation of this traditional game offer a escape, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an classic game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the introduction of the anti smoking law all over England and Wales.
No more will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular places where people like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can enjoy bingo using their computer while enjoying a beer and smoke and still enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the net will never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo players with no choice.