A lot has been written in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses afloat. But can the internet version of this classic game present a reprieve, or might it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an ancient game historically played by the "blue rinse" generation. For all that the game lately had undergone a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law across United Kingdom.
No longer will players be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 every public place will no longer be allowed to permit smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most common locations where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Profits have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Certainly they have not given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can play bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and fag and in the end, enjoy monstrous jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net can never replace the collective part of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.