Much has been stated in the press just a while ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to help keep the businesses alive. But will the internet adaptation of this classic game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an familiar game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls in place of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law all over England and Wales.
No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common areas where folks like to smoke.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can gamble on bingo from their computer while enjoying a drink and cig and still have a chance at monstrous jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the communal portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the law has left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.