A lot has been reported in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the smoking ban in Britain. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. But will the internet adaptation of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or will it in no way compare to its real life kin?
Bingo is an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had experienced a recent increase in appeal with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No more will players be allowed to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not given up on this established game?
The answer is online. People are now realizing that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beverage and cigarette and still have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the web will never replace the social portion of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.
