A lot has been talked in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry afloat. However can the internet adaptation of this classic game provide a salvation, or will it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an age old game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game lately had experienced a recent increase in popularity with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the enacting of the anti cigarette law across Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Of course they have not deserted this established game?
The answer is on the internet. People realize that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and fag and in the end, enjoy huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the social part of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with little alternative.