An abundance has been talked in the press just a while ago concerning the bingo industry struggling as a consequence of the smoking ban in England. Things have grown so poor that in Scotland the Bingo industry has requested big tax cuts to help keep the businesses afloat. But will the online version of this traditional game present a escape, or might it never compare to its real life peer?
Bingo is an age old game normally played by the "blue rinse" generation. In any case the game lately had seen a recent comeback in popularity with younger men and women opting to hit the bingo parlours rather than the clubs on a Friday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enacting of the anti cigarette law throughout UK.
No longer will gamblers be permitted to smoke while dabbing numbers. From the summer of ‘07 all public locations will no longer be permitted to allow smoking in their locations and this includes Bingo parlours, one of the most common locations where people like to smoke.
The outcome of the anti smoking law can already be seen in Scotland where smoking is already banned in the bingo parlors. Players have plunged and the business is absolutely fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they have not cast aside this age old game?
The answer is online. Gamblers know that they can enjoy bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and cigarette and still have a chance at massive cash rewards. This is a recent phenomenon and has timed itself bordering on perfect with the anti smoking law.
Of course betting on online is unlikely to replace the communal aspect of going down to the bingo parlour, but for a group of players the governing edicts have left many bingo players with no choice.