An abundance has been written in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the cigarette ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to help keep the industry afloat. But can the internet variation of this traditional game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo is an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had undergone a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls in place of the discos on a weekend. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout UK.
No more will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers are now realizing that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and in the end, enjoy monstrous jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.