Much has been written in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But will the internet version of this classic game present a lifeline, or will it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game lately had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo halls in place of the bars on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law all over UK.
No more will players be allowed to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular places where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Numbers have dropped and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on online is unlikely to replace the collective part of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.