An abundance has been reported in the papers not long ago regarding the bingo industry singing the blues as a result of the smoking ban in the United Kingdom. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big tax breaks to help keep the industry alive. However can the internet version of this quintessential game provide a salvation, or will it in no way compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo is an established game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had seen a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Friday night. This is all about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the cigarette ban all over England and Wales.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular areas where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The effects of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already banned in the bingo halls. Profits have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. Players are now realizing that they can participate in bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and fag and still enjoy massive jackpots. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the net will never replace the social portion of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a group of players the rules have left a good many bingo players with little alternative.