Much has been reported in the papers just a while ago regarding the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. However will the internet version of this quintessential game present a reprieve, or might it never compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an enduring game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent comeback in acceptance with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo parlours instead of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the cigarette ban across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to smoke while marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most popular areas where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not deserted this classic game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers are now realizing that they can wager on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the internet could never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo players with little choice.