An abundance has been stated in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge aid to help keep the industry afloat. But does the internet variation of this quintessential game offer a reprieve, or will it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an age old game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger people deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the enacting of the cigarette ban all over United Kingdom.
No more will players be permitted to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public area will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored places where players like to smoke.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the business is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not cast aside this established game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the internet will never replace the social part of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.
