An abundance has been talked in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge aid to assist in keeping the industry alive. But does the web variation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an enduring game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the introduction of the cigarette ban throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. Players realise that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beverage and fag and still enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the web will never replace the communal portion of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the law has left many bingo players with little option.