An abundance has been stated in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. But does the internet version of this classic game offer a reprieve, or will it not compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an established game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo halls in place of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law around England and Wales.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke while marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. Players realise that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing online can never replace the collective aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the law has left many bingo players with no choice.
