Much has been talked in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry struggling because of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry alive. But can the online adaptation of this quintessential game offer a escape, or might it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had witnessed a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the smoking ban across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where players enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not forgotten this established game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can participate in bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net could never replace the communal aspect of heading over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the law has left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.