Much has been written in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to help keep the industry alive. However will the internet version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it not compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an classic game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game lately had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the cigarette ban all over UK.
Players will no longer be able to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most common areas where players enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Certainly they have not abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. People know that they can bet on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on online can never replace the social part of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.