A lot has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in England. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the net adaptation of this traditional game provide a escape, or will it not compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had witnessed a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law throughout UK.
No more will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular locations where people like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. Players realise that they can bet on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and fag and in the end, enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the net can never replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the law has left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.