A lot has been reported in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to assist in keeping the industry alive. But can the internet adaptation of this traditional game present a salvation, or will it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an ancient game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent return in acceptance with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the smoking ban around Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite places where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t deserted this familiar game?
The answer is online. Players know that they can gamble on bingo from their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo players with little alternative.