An abundance has been stated in the press recently concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to assist in keeping the industry afloat. However will the net version of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an ancient game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had seen a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people deciding to hit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti cigarette law all over United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where people like to smoke.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the web. People realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left a number of bingo players with no alternative.