Much has been stated in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the internet version of this quintessential game present a escape, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo is an enduring game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in popularity with younger men and women deciding to visit the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored locations where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they haven’t abandoned this established game?
The answer is on the net. Players are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cig and still enjoy massive jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the net can never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with little option.