Much has been stated in the press recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But does the net variation of this quintessential game provide a salvation, or will it in no way compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an classic game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game of late had undergone a recent increase in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti cigarette law around United Kingdom.
No more will enthusiasts be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public place will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t given up on this classic game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realize that they can gamble on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and fag and still have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing online can never replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no option.
