Much has been stated in the press recently about the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in the UK. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the net adaptation of this traditional game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had undergone a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the smoking ban across Britain.
No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public area will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common areas where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realize that they can participate in bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and fag and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the web is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.