An abundance has been written in the papers just a while ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a result of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the net adaptation of this traditional game provide a escape, or might it not compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an ancient game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent return in appeal with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to smoke while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular places where folks enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo halls. Profits have dropped and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they haven’t deserted this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers realise that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and smoke and in the end, have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing online is unlikely to replace the social aspect of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a good many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.