A lot has been reported in the press recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to help keep the businesses alive. However does the internet version of this quintessential game present a salvation, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an classic game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger people opting to visit the bingo halls in place of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the cigarette ban across United Kingdom.
No more will gamblers be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored areas where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they have not abandoned this classic game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cig and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the social part of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left many bingo players with no alternative.