Much has been talked in the press recently about the bingo industry being hit as a result of the cigarette ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But can the internet version of this traditional game offer a escape, or might it not compare to its land based relative?
Bingo has been an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had undergone a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo halls rather than the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the cigarette ban all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Players have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the web. Players realize that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and still have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net could never replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.