An abundance has been stated in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in the UK. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But will the web adaptation of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or will it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an established game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had undergone a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlours in place of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti smoking law all over Britain.
No more will gamblers be allowed to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite locations where people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not given up on this familiar 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 cig and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on on the web can never replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a number of bingo players with little option.