Much has been written in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big aid to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the net adaptation of this traditional game present a escape, or might it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game of late had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the legislating of the anti cigarette law around Britain.
No longer will enthusiasts be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite places where players like to smoke.
The results of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlours. Numbers have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they haven’t cast aside this established game?
The answer is on the net. People know that they can bet on bingo from their computer while enjoying a beverage and cigarette and still enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the net will never replace the social aspect of going down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left a good many bingo players with no choice.