Much has been stated in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the internet version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or will it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an age old game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had experienced a recent increase in popularity with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to change with the legislating of the anti cigarette law all over UK.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular areas where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is online. Players know that they can enjoy bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the net will never replace the communal part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.