A lot has been stated in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But will the online version of this traditional game provide a reprieve, or will it not compare to its land based kin?
Bingo is an enduring game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had seen a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls in place of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law across UK.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular areas where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlors. Players have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. People realise that they can enjoy bingo using their computer while enjoying a beer and cig and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.