Much has been talked in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But will the web version of this traditional game provide a reprieve, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar opposite?
Bingo is an classic game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti smoking law around UK.
No more will enthusiasts be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public location will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite places where players like to smoke.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlours. Players have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Obviously they have not forgotten this classic game?
The answer is online. Gamblers are now realizing that they can play bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course playing on the internet is unlikely to replace the communal part of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of people the rules have left a good many bingo players with little alternative.