A lot has been reported in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the internet variation of this quintessential game offer a salvation, or will it not compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent return in appeal with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo halls rather than the bars on a weekend. This is all about to change with the introduction of the smoking ban around England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common places where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo halls. Players have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and in the end, have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left many bingo players with no alternative.
