A lot has been written in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hit because of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But does the internet adaptation of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or will it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an established game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger men and women deciding to hit the bingo parlours instead of the discos on a weekend. This is all about to change with the enacting of the anti cigarette law all over Britain.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite areas where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can play bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and smoke and in the end, have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the internet can never replace the collective aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.