An abundance has been talked in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to help keep the businesses afloat. However will the online variation of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent return in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti smoking law all over UK.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they have not given up on this enduring game?
The answer is online. Gamblers realize that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and fag and in the end, enjoy big prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the internet is unlikely to 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 no alternative.
