An abundance has been talked in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the internet version of this quintessential game present a escape, or will it in no way compare to its real life relative?
Bingo is an classic game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo halls instead of the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti smoking law throughout United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common areas where people like to smoke.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they haven’t abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Players realise that they can bet on bingo using their computer while enjoying a drink and cigarette and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the web is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.