Much has been talked in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However will the online variation of this quintessential game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based kin?
Bingo is an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had witnessed a recent return in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the enacting of the cigarette ban all over Britain.
No more will gamblers be allowed to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common areas where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo halls. Players have plummeted and the business is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers know that they can bet on bingo from their computer while enjoying a drink and cig and still have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on online could never replace the social portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the rules have left a lot of bingo players with little option.