Much has been reported in the press not long ago regarding the bingo industry being hit because of the anti cigarette law in the United Kingdom. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax cuts to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But does the web version of this quintessential game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its real life equivalent?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had undergone a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the smoking ban around UK.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most popular places where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the business is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this ancient game?
The answer is online. People realize that they can gamble on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the web can never replace the collective aspect of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no alternative.
