Much has been reported in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hit because of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the internet version of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it not compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had undergone a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the cigarette ban throughout England and Wales.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlors. Numbers have dropped and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they haven’t cast aside this established game?
The answer is online. People know that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and smoke and still have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the net will never replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the law has left a lot of bingo players with no alternative.