Much has been stated in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the cigarette ban in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the net adaptation of this quintessential game provide a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an enduring game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game lately had undergone a recent comeback in appeal with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors instead of the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the cigarette ban throughout Britain.
No longer will gamblers be able to smoke at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most popular areas where folks like to smoke.
The results of the smoking ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the business is literally struggling for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t forgotten this age old game?
The answer is on the web. Players are now realizing that they can bet on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and fag and still have a chance at big jackpots. 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 communal portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no choice.