A lot has been reported in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti smoking law in the UK. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However can the online adaptation of this classic game present a salvation, or might it not compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo is an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti smoking law all over UK.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most popular places where people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plunged and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they haven’t given up on this classic game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers know that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cigarette and still enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the web could never replace the collective aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no choice.
