A lot has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in the UK. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However can the internet version of this classic game offer a salvation, or will it not compare to its real life relative?
Bingo is an enduring game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had experienced a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the anti smoking law all over Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common places where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not given up on this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. Players know that they can gamble on bingo from their computer while enjoying a drink and smoke and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little option.
