Much has been stated in the papers not long ago about the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to help keep the businesses afloat. But will the online version of this quintessential game provide a salvation, or might it never compare to its land based peer?
Bingo has been an enduring game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had undergone a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti smoking law around United Kingdom.
No more will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favored places where folks enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t abandoned this established game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realize that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the rules have left a lot of bingo players with no choice.