Much has been reported in the press recently concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti smoking law in the UK. Things have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry afloat. But will the web version of this traditional game offer a salvation, or might it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo has been an established game usually enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game lately had witnessed a recent increase in appeal with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the smoking ban all over UK.
No longer will players be permitted to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most popular places where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be felt in Scotland where smoking is already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where did all the players go? Surely they have not deserted this enduring game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can play bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beverage and cig and still enjoy massive jackpots. This is a recent development and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course wagering on online will never replace the communal part of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the law has left a number of bingo players with no option.