Much has been stated in the press recently about the bingo industry singing the blues because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the online version of this quintessential game present a escape, or might it in no way compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an classic game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had undergone a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout Britain.
No more will players be allowed to smoke while marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public area will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular areas where folks like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can gamble on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and still enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the social aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.