An abundance has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry afloat. But does the web version of this classic game provide a reprieve, or will it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an established game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had seen a recent return in appeal with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the cigarette ban around UK.
No more will players be allowed to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t abandoned this established game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a beverage and smoke and still enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the net will never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.