An abundance has been written in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the cigarette ban in the UK. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But does the internet adaptation of this classic game provide a escape, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an familiar game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the introduction of the anti smoking law throughout United Kingdom.
No longer will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common places where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they have not forgotten this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realize that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the net could never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.
