An abundance has been reported in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry being hurt because of the cigarette ban in the United Kingdom. Things have become so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded massive tax breaks to assist in keeping the industry from going bankrupt. But will the net version of this traditional game offer a lifeline, or might it never compare to its bricks and mortar kin?
Bingo has been an enduring game normally enjoyed by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger men and women opting to visit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a weekend. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enacting of the cigarette ban all over United Kingdom.
No longer will players be permitted to smoke at the same time marking off their numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public place will not be allowed to permit cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite locations where many people like to puff on cigarettes.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already illegal in the bingo halls. Players have plummeted and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where did the players go? Certainly they have not abandoned this age old game?
The answer is on the internet. Players realize that they can play bingo in front of their computer whilst enjoying a beer and cig and in the end, enjoy huge prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course betting on on the web will never replace the social portion of going over to the bingo parlor, but for a demographic of people the governing edicts have left many bingo players with little option.