The popular game of Bingo
For a lot of people the game of Bingo presents the most acceptable type of gambling and betting in the world. It is known, played and loved by millions of people from all parts of the world; and it is even a popular game to raise funds in churches, schools and various social community projects. What makes bingo so interesting is that its rules are simple and accessible by just about everyone and there is always a ‘winner’ to some degree in a game of Bingo.
Where can you play bingo?
Although by some considered as a gambling activity, bingo isn’t only accessible in casinos. Around the world you can see parlors and game houses that offer various bingo games. Collectively referred to as Bingo Halls, they are often operated by national and even international Bingo gambling companies that exactly know the market. Many Bingo Halls can be found occupying buildings that were once used as suburban cinemas; the newer Bingo Halls are also being are located in ‘out-of-town’ retail park developments whilst, in some countries, they can even be found within town centre shopping malls. Of course you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to play Bingo , as you can now also play Bingo online over the internet.
Bingo as a social connector
The game of Bingo has always been associated with the social side of gambling. Bingo is similar to lottery games; so the game is often played in groups, usually of the same people and on a certain set pattern of days or evenings. While concentration is important in order to not miss any ‘numbers’ that are called out, bingo is not as complicated as that for say Poker or Black-Jack. Subsequently it is possible for Bingo players to combine playing the game with drinking and even eating, all of which may be permitted in a Bingo Hall or in a bar that has bingo evenings. Especially for older people, the social part of Bingo is one of the top reasons why the game is so attractive.
The impact of smoking bans in Bingo Halls
To use Great Britain as an example, the summer of 2007 saw a nationwide smoking ban in all public places come into action. Voluntary smoking bans have not been enforced in Bingo Halls before, so it was not clear if the ban has an effect on the attractiveness of Bingo. In the UK a reported 60% of all Bingo players were/are smokers and, unsurprisingly, the ‘no smoking ban’ has led to a reduction in Bingo players. The figure often quoted in the first year of the ban is a 25% reduction in the number of people attending Bingo games. This drop is mainly a problem for the clubs and bars that held Bingo sessions as part of their commercial activities. Whilst the large ‘purpose built’ Bingo Halls have also seen a reduction in attendance numbers, their attraction as a social gathering place to certain groups of people has out-weighed the effects of the smoking ban. Now the society seems to have accepted the smoking bans, it could well be that the number of people attending Bingo games rises again. There will also undoubtedly be those people who are now willing to attend Bingo games in a smoke-free environment, that otherwise would not have attended the Bingo Hall. A very interesting fact in the UK is that during this same period the number of people playing Bingo online rose substantially.