Much has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However can the internet version of this classic game present a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an age old game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the anti smoking law all over Britain.
No longer will players be able to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored locations where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not cast aside this established game?
The answer is online. Players know that they can bet on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on online can never replace the collective aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with little choice.
