Much has been stated in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt as a result of the cigarette ban in Britain. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for big tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry alive. But does the internet variation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or might it not compare to its land based relative?
Bingo is an familiar game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women opting to go to the bingo halls rather than the discos on a Saturday night. All this is about to change with the legislating of the smoking ban around England and Wales.
No longer will gamblers be able to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public areas will not be allowed to permit smoking in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most favorite places where many people like to smoke.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be seen in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plummeted and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they haven’t cast aside this classic game?
The answer is on the web. Gamblers realize that they can wager on bingo using their computer whilst enjoying a drink and smoke and in the end, enjoy big prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course playing on the net is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of heading down to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of men and women the rules have left a number of bingo enthusiasts with little option.