Much has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the industry afloat. But does the online version of this quintessential game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo has been an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game of late had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti smoking law throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be permitted to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored areas where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Players have dropped and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Obviously they haven’t abandoned this classic game?
The answer is on the web. People realize that they can bet on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and still have a chance at huge prizes. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on on the web is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.
