An abundance has been written in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues because of the smoking ban in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax cuts to help keep the industry alive. However will the web variation of this quintessential game provide a lifeline, or will it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo is an ancient game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the enacting of the cigarette ban all over UK.
No more will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes while dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Numbers have dropped and the industry is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the web. People realize that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cig and still have a chance at big cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with no option.