Much has been reported in the papers recently regarding the bingo industry struggling because of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for big tax breaks to help keep the industry afloat. But can the web adaptation of this traditional game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar relative?
Bingo has been an classic game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. However the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger people opting to go to the bingo halls in place of the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti smoking law around England and Wales.
No more will players be able to smoke whilst marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public locations will not be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored places where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not permitted in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this established game?
The answer is on the net. People realize that they can play bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at huge jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has happened almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course wagering on on the internet can never replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a good many bingo players with little choice.