An abundance has been written in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But can the net adaptation of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo is an classic game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to change with the enforcement of the cigarette ban around England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common locations where players like to smoke.
The results of the anti smoking law 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 to stay alive. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. People realise that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with little alternative.
