An abundance has been talked in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But can the internet variation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or will it never compare to its real life relative?
Bingo is an established game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent comeback in popularity with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo halls rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the smoking ban across UK.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite places where many people like to smoke.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. Players are now realizing that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and still have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on on the web is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.