An abundance has been reported in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the web version of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an age old game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had seen a recent return in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law around UK.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored places where people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not forgotten this age old game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can play bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on online is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a lot of bingo players with no choice.