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An abundance has been reported in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the smoking ban in Britain. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But can the net variation of this traditional game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo is an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had seen a recent comeback in popularity with younger people opting to hit the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the cigarette ban throughout United Kingdom.
No longer will players be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite locations where people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this enduring game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can gamble on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the net could never replace the collective part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.
