Much has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry afloat. However can the web adaptation of this quintessential game present a escape, or might it not compare to its land based kin?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had seen a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger people opting to hit the bingo halls instead of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enforcement of the smoking ban throughout England and Wales.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored locations where folks like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not cast aside this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Players realise that they can bet on bingo using their computer while enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the web will never replace the communal portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.