Much has been written in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However can the net version of this classic game provide a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo is an age old game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the introduction of the cigarette ban throughout England and Wales.
No longer will gamblers be able to smoke whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most favored locations where players enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Certainly they have not cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realise that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and smoke and in the end, enjoy big prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the web could never replace the social aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no choice.