Much has been stated in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But will the web version of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an enduring game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had undergone a recent comeback in appeal with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the cigarette ban around Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common locations where players enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t cast aside this age old game?
The answer is online. People realize that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and still enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with no option.