Much has been talked in the press recently about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But can the online variation of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or might it never compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an enduring game normally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger people opting to visit the bingo parlors instead of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to smoke at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular areas where players like to smoke.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already illegal in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t cast aside this ancient game?
The answer is online. Players realise that they can play bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the collective portion of going over to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the law has left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.