Much has been talked in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry afloat. But can the internet version of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in popularity with younger people deciding to visit the bingo parlours in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the legislating of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No more will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t abandoned this age old game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can wager on bingo using their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still have a chance at monstrous jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course playing on the internet is unlikely to replace the communal part of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with no option.