An abundance has been written in the papers not long ago about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However will the web adaptation of this classic game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an established game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had undergone a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo halls in place of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law across England and Wales.
No more will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite areas where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers are now realizing that they can play bingo using their computer while enjoying a drink and cig and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the web is unlikely to replace the communal part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the law has left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.