Much has been stated in the papers just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hit because of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. However does the web adaptation of this quintessential game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an enduring game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent comeback in appeal with younger people opting to visit the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the anti cigarette law across England and Wales.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most favorite places where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Numbers have plummeted and the business is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Obviously they have not given up on this established game?
The answer is on the web. People are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and still have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the rules have left a lot of bingo players with little choice.