Much has been reported in the press recently about the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However will the internet version of this classic game provide a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an familiar game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent return in appeal with younger people deciding to visit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No more will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Players realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on online will never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no option.
