An abundance has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry being hit because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However will the internet variation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an familiar game normally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game of late had witnessed a recent return in popularity with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls rather than the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the introduction of the anti cigarette law throughout United Kingdom.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to smoke at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favorite locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Profits have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t abandoned this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can gamble on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, enjoy monstrous jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net could never replace the social part of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with little choice.
