A lot has been talked in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses alive. However can the web variation of this classic game present a escape, or might it in no way compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had undergone a recent comeback in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a weekend. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law across United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite areas where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on on the net is unlikely to replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo players with no alternative.