An abundance has been reported in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge aid to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However can the internet variation of this classic game provide a escape, or will it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an age old game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had witnessed a recent comeback in popularity with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the smoking ban around England and Wales.
No longer will players be permitted to smoke whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favorite places where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t abandoned this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. People realise that they can participate in bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and fag and still enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the law has left a lot of bingo players with little option.
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