A lot has been stated in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But will the online version of this classic game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had experienced a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored places where players like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they haven’t given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can participate in bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and still have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the internet could never replace the collective portion of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the law has left many bingo players with little option.