A lot has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the web variation of this classic game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo has been an age old game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had experienced a recent increase in appeal with younger people deciding to go to the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the cigarette ban around Britain.
No longer will players be permitted to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo halls. Numbers have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not given up on this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realize that they can enjoy bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cig and still enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net will never replace the communal part of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the law has left a lot of bingo players with little alternative.