Much has been written in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However can the web variation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an enduring game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlors in place of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the smoking ban all over United Kingdom.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored places where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can wager on bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on online could never replace the collective part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a number of bingo players with no choice.