An abundance has been stated in the press just a while ago about the bingo industry being hit because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax cuts to help keep the businesses from going bankrupt. However does the net version of this traditional game offer a reprieve, or might it not compare to its land based opposite?
Bingo is an classic game historically enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. Although the game recently had experienced a recent comeback in appeal with younger people deciding to visit the bingo halls instead of the bars on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the introduction of the smoking ban all over Britain.
No more will players be permitted to smoke while marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most favored locations where folks enjoy smoking.
The effects of the anti cigarette law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlors. Numbers have dropped and the business is beyond a doubt fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they have not deserted this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a drink and cig and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent anomaly and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on cigarettes.
Of course betting on online will never replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo enthusiasts with little option.