A lot has been talked in the press recently regarding the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the anti smoking law in England. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. However does the internet adaptation of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or might it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an age old game generally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had experienced a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger people deciding to visit the bingo parlors instead of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to be destroyed with the introduction of the smoking ban across Britain.
No more will players be permitted to smoke whilst dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 every public location will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most popular areas where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be looked at in Scotland where smoking is already prohibited in the bingo parlors. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not given up on this familiar game?
The answer is on the internet. People realize that they can wager on bingo using their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has happened bordering on perfect with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the internet is unlikely to replace the social portion of heading down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the rules have left a good many bingo enthusiasts with no option.