Much has been written in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the net adaptation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or will it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti cigarette law around UK.
No longer will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favored areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not forgotten this classic game?
The answer is on the net. Players realize that they can participate in bingo using their computer while enjoying a beverage and smoke and still enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal part of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.