An abundance has been talked in the press recently concerning the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However will the internet variation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or might it never compare to its land based kin?
Bingo is an enduring game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. However the game lately had undergone a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to hit the bingo halls in place of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the smoking ban throughout UK.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public locations will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favored locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo halls. Numbers have plunged and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they haven’t cast aside this age old game?
The answer is online. Gamblers realize that they can participate in bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and smoke and in the end, have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a demographic of players the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with little choice.