Much has been stated in the press not long ago about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the internet version of this quintessential game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an familiar game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had undergone a recent increase in appeal with younger people deciding to visit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the smoking ban throughout United Kingdom.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular areas where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not deserted this established game?
The answer is on the internet. People realise that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, enjoy monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the web will never replace the communal aspect of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the rules have left many bingo players with no alternative.