Much has been written in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti cigarette law in Britain. Conditions have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. However will the online variation of this traditional game present a lifeline, or will it not compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an established game historically enjoyed by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game recently had witnessed a recent comeback in acceptance with younger people deciding to hit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a weekend. This is all about to be destroyed with the enforcement of the smoking ban throughout United Kingdom.
Players will no longer be permitted to puff on cigarettes at the same time marking numbers. Starting in the summer of ‘07 every public area will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most favorite locations where people like to smoke.
The effects of the anti smoking law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already not permitted in the bingo halls. Players have plummeted and the industry is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not deserted this established game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can wager on bingo from their computer whilst enjoying a drink and cigarette and in the end, have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent development and has happened almost perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective portion of heading over to the bingo hall, but for a group of men and women the rules have left many bingo enthusiasts with little option.