An abundance has been talked in the papers recently about the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge aid to help keep the businesses alive. However can the net adaptation of this traditional game present a escape, or might it not compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an enduring game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the legislating of the smoking ban throughout UK.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they haven’t deserted this ancient game?
The answer is online. Players are now realizing that they can play bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the internet can never replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.