Much has been talked in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However can the web variation of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or will it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an enduring game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game of late had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers are now realizing that they can wager on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with little alternative.