An abundance has been talked in the press recently about the bingo industry being hurt as a consequence of the cigarette ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But can the net variation of this classic game provide a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game of late had witnessed a recent resurgence in popularity with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to change with the enacting of the anti smoking law throughout UK.
No more will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already barred in the bingo parlours. Profits have plummeted and the industry is literally struggling for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t given up on this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the social part of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of people the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.