An abundance has been written in the papers just a while ago about the bingo industry being hit as a consequence of the cigarette ban in the UK. Things have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has asked for huge tax cuts to help keep the industry alive. But can the net adaptation of this traditional game offer a escape, or will it not compare to its real life opposite?
Bingo has been an enduring game historically played by the "blue haired" generation. For all that the game recently had seen a recent resurgence in appeal with younger members of society deciding to visit the bingo halls rather than the clubs on a Friday night. All this is about to get flipped on its head with the enforcement of the smoking ban all over UK.
No longer will players be able to smoke at the same time marking numbers. Beginning in the summer of ‘07 all public locations will not be permitted to allow cigarettes in their buildings and this includes Bingo halls, one of the most popular places where many people enjoy smoking.
The effects of the cigarette ban can already be looked at in Scotland where cigarettes are already forbidden in the bingo parlors. Numbers have plunged and the industry is literally struggling for its life. But where have the players gone? Of course they have not deserted this ancient game?
The answer is on the internet. People know that they can wager on bingo from their computer while enjoying a cocktail and cig and in the end, have a chance at big jackpots. This is a recent development and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course wagering on on the net can never replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a demographic of players the governing edicts have left many bingo enthusiasts with little alternative.