An abundance has been reported in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti smoking law in the United Kingdom. Things have grown so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the internet variation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or will it in no way compare to its land based equivalent?
Bingo has been an familiar game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. Although the game lately had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society deciding to go to the bingo halls instead of the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to change with the enacting of the anti cigarette law throughout Britain.
Players will no longer be allowed to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most popular areas where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo halls. Players have dropped and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have all the players gone? Of course they haven’t deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. Players realize that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and cigarette and in the end, enjoy massive prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course wagering on on the net can never replace the collective portion of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with no choice.