A lot has been reported in the press not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has demanded big tax cuts to help keep the industry from going bankrupt. But can the online variation of this classic game provide a escape, or will it not compare to its land based kin?
Bingo has been an classic game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game recently had witnessed a recent resurgence in appeal with younger people deciding to go to the bingo parlours in place of the bars on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the legislating of the anti smoking law throughout England and Wales.
No more will players be able to puff on cigarettes whilst marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of 2007 all public places will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo parlors, one of the most favorite places where players like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti smoking law can already be felt in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlours. Players have plunged and the industry is beyond a doubt struggling for its life. But where did the players go? Of course they haven’t abandoned this ancient game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can participate in bingo from their computer at the same time enjoying a beverage and fag and in the end, enjoy monstrous prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself just about perfectly with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the internet is unlikely to replace the collective portion of going over to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of people the law has left a number of bingo enthusiasts with no option.