An abundance has been stated in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the industry afloat. But can the online variation of this quintessential game provide a escape, or might it not compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an age old game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had experienced a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti cigarette law across UK.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where many people like to smoke.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. People realize that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, enjoy big jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the web can never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.