An abundance has been reported in the press recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues because of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However can the internet adaptation of this classic game present a salvation, or will it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an ancient game generally enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had undergone a recent increase in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a Saturday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout England and Wales.
No more will gamblers be permitted to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public locations will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular locations where many people like to smoke.
The outcome of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Surely they have not cast aside this age old game?
The answer is on the net. Gamblers know that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cig and still enjoy massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the internet will never replace the collective part of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little choice.