Much has been written in the press just a while ago regarding the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in the UK. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested huge tax cuts to help keep the businesses alive. However does the web variation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or might it never compare to its real life peer?
Bingo has been an classic game usually played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game of late had experienced a recent return in popularity with younger members of society opting to go to the bingo parlours instead of the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the smoking ban all over Britain.
Players will no longer be able to puff on cigarettes at the same time dabbing numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public areas will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favorite locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo halls. Profits have dropped and the business is absolutely fighting for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Of course they haven’t cast aside this established game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers are now realizing that they can bet on bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still have a chance at huge cash rewards. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on online is unlikely to replace the collective aspect of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the rules have left a number of bingo players with little option.