An abundance has been stated in the press recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the cigarette ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to help keep the businesses alive. But will the web adaptation of this quintessential game offer a salvation, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an familiar game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls rather than the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the smoking ban across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to smoke whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite areas where players like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t forgotten this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can participate in bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the net can never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left many bingo players with no option.
