Much has been reported in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to help keep the industry afloat. However will the internet variation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had witnessed a recent return in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls instead of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the anti smoking law throughout United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favored locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the business is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they have not forgotten this age old game?
The answer is online. People are now realizing that they can wager on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the law has left a number of bingo players with no option.