An abundance has been stated in the papers recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But does the web variation of this quintessential game offer a escape, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an established game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a weekend. This is all about to change with the legislating of the anti cigarette law throughout England and Wales.
No longer will players be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favorite places where players enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they haven’t abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realize that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and still have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on online will never replace the collective part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.
