A lot has been stated in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But does the internet version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an age old game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game of late had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the smoking ban around United Kingdom.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular places where players enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Surely they haven’t forgotten this classic game?
The answer is on the web. Players realise that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the internet can never replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the law has left a good many bingo players with little option.
