A lot has been reported in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for huge tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However can the net variation of this classic game present a salvation, or will it not compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo has been an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game recently had seen a recent return in appeal with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlors in place of the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the cigarette ban around UK.
No more will enthusiasts be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where folks like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlours. Players have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Of course they have not deserted this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers know that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, enjoy huge jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course gambling on on the net is unlikely to replace the communal portion of heading over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with little choice.