An abundance has been reported in the papers recently about the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But can the net variation of this traditional game offer a escape, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an classic game usually played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had seen a recent increase in appeal with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Saturday night. This is all about to change with the enacting of the anti smoking law across United Kingdom.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes while marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular places where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the business is absolutely struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they haven’t cast aside this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. People are now realizing that they can gamble on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy big cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course gambling on online is unlikely to replace the communal part of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the law has left many bingo players with no choice.