An abundance has been written in the press just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the cigarette ban in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to assist in keeping the industry afloat. However can the internet adaptation of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is online. Players realize that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on online can never replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a number of bingo players with little alternative.