Much has been talked in the press recently about the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But will the web variation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or might it not compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an classic game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger people deciding to go to the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law throughout United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common locations where people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they have not deserted this established game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cig and in the end, have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the web will never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a good many bingo players with no option.
