Much has been talked in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However will the net adaptation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had undergone a recent increase in acceptance with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the smoking ban all over UK.
No more will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where people like to smoke.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo halls. Numbers have plummeted and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can enjoy bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing on the net will never replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a lot of bingo players with little option.