An abundance has been stated in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in England. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the internet version of this classic game provide a escape, or might it never compare to its land based kin?
Bingo has been an enduring game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had seen a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls rather than the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the enacting of the anti smoking law all over Britain.
No more will gamblers be allowed to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular areas where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not cast aside this enduring game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and fag and still have a chance at monstrous jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the web is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.