Much has been written in the press just a while ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in the UK. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses alive. But will the online adaptation of this traditional game present a escape, or might it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an enduring game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had seen a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be reversed with the introduction of the smoking ban throughout Britain.
No longer will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public locations will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. People realize that they can participate in bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on on the net could never replace the social portion of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a good many bingo players with no option.