Much has been stated in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry afloat. But can the online adaptation of this quintessential game provide a escape, or might it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game of late had undergone a recent return in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls rather than the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti cigarette law around England and Wales.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public area will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where players enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not given up on this established game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realize that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and smoke and still have a chance at monstrous jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the communal portion of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.