Much has been reported in the papers not long ago about the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the cigarette ban in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the internet version of this traditional game present a lifeline, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law across UK.
Players will no longer be able to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common areas where many people like to smoke.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Players realise that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and fag and in the end, enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on online can never replace the communal portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a good many bingo players with no choice.