A lot has been stated in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in the UK. Conditions have grown so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded huge tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the internet version of this traditional game present a lifeline, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar peer?
Bingo is an ancient game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger men and women deciding to go to the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the cigarette ban all over United Kingdom.
No more will gamblers be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking off their numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common places where people enjoy smoking.
The results of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already not allowed in the bingo parlours. Players have plummeted and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they have not deserted this enduring game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can play bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at massive prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course gambling on on the web is unlikely to replace the social portion of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.