An abundance has been stated in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the internet variation of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it in no way compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an established game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger men and women opting to visit the bingo halls rather than the bars on a weekend. All this is about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti smoking law around Britain.
No longer will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favored locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo halls. Profits have plummeted and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can play bingo from their computer while enjoying a beer and cigarette and still enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on online will never replace the communal aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the law has left a lot of bingo players with little option.
