An abundance has been written in the papers recently about the bingo industry singing the blues because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the online version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo has been an enduring game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlours instead of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to change with the enforcement of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No more will gamblers be permitted to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common areas where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they have not forgotten this established game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realize that they can participate in bingo from their computer while enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the law has left many bingo players with no option.
