An abundance has been written in the papers not long ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a result of the anti cigarette law in the United Kingdom. Conditions have become so bad that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive tax cuts to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. But can the online variation of this classic game offer a reprieve, or will it not compare to its land based peer?
Bingo is an ancient game generally played by the "blue rinse" generation. However the game of late had witnessed a recent return in acceptance with younger members of society opting to hit the bingo parlours rather than the discos on a Friday night. All this is about to be destroyed with the introduction of the anti cigarette law around Britain.
No more will gamblers be permitted to smoke whilst marking numbers. Starting in the summer of 2007 all public places will no longer be allowed to permit cigarettes in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, which are possibly the most popular places where players enjoy smoking.
The outcome of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is absolutely struggling for to stay alive. But where have all the players gone? Surely they have not given up on this classic game?
The answer is on the net. Players realise that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer while enjoying a beverage and cig and in the end, have a chance at monstrous cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself almost perfectly with the anti smoking law.
Of course playing on the web is unlikely to replace the collective portion of going down to the bingo hall, but for a group of players the law has left a good many bingo players with no alternative.