An abundance has been stated in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the anti cigarette law in England. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax breaks to help keep the businesses afloat. But will the internet adaptation of this quintessential game offer a salvation, or will it in no way compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an ancient game usually enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in acceptance with younger members of society opting to visit the bingo parlours rather than the bars on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the legislating of the anti smoking law around UK.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to smoke while dabbing numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most common places where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the smoking ban can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already barred in the bingo parlors. Players have dropped and the industry is literally fighting for to stay alive. But where did the players go? Obviously they haven’t forgotten this ancient game?
The answer is on the net. Players know that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a cocktail and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at big prizes. This is a recent development and has timed itself almost perfectly with the ban on smoking.
Of course betting on on the web can never replace the social portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of men and women the governing edicts have left a lot of bingo players with little alternative.