Much has been talked in the press recently regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the web variation of this traditional game provide a salvation, or might it in no way compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo has been an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had seen a recent comeback in popularity with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to change with the introduction of the anti smoking law all over United Kingdom.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common locations where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo halls. Profits have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not abandoned this familiar game?
The answer is online. People realise that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on online could never replace the collective portion of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of people the rules have left many bingo players with no choice.