An abundance has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the cigarette ban in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But can the internet adaptation of this traditional game offer a salvation, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo has been an classic game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored places where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a drink and fag and still enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the internet is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a good many bingo players with little option.
