A lot has been stated in the press recently about the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax cuts to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the internet adaptation of this traditional game provide a lifeline, or might it not compare to its land based peer?
Bingo has been an age old game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to change with the legislating of the cigarette ban across UK.
No longer will gamblers be allowed to puff on cigarettes while marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public locations will not be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common areas where folks like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo parlors. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Obviously they have not deserted this classic game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realise that they can play bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cig and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the net could never replace the collective aspect of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of people the rules have left many bingo players with little choice.