Much has been stated in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But will the online adaptation of this classic game provide a lifeline, or will it never compare to its real life relative?
Bingo has been an ancient game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls in place of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti cigarette law across Britain.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time 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 parlours, which are possibly the most popular areas where people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is online. People are now realizing that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a lot of bingo players with no choice.
