An abundance has been written in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax breaks to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the web variation of this traditional game present a salvation, or might it never compare to its real life kin?
Bingo has been an established game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game of late had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlors in place of the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the legislating of the anti smoking law around United Kingdom.
No more will gamblers be allowed to smoke whilst marking off their numbers. From the summer of 2007 all public areas will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlors, which are possibly the most common areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo halls. Profits have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where did all the players go? Surely they haven’t given up on this enduring game?
The answer is on the internet. Gamblers realise that they can gamble on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and smoke and still have a chance at massive jackpots. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the net could never replace the collective part of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the law has left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.